An Aiken teen shot his parents and his sister to death before turning the gun on himself early Friday at a local apartment complex, authorities say.
The victims have been identified as 55-year-old John Fitzgerald Seward Sr., 50-year-old Mary Ann Powlas, and 27-year-old Erica Nicole Seward. Johnathan Andrew Seward, 19, was identified as the killer, Coroner Darryl Ables said. A fifth victim, 18-year-old Theresa Seward, survived the shootings and was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries.
Seward Sr. and Powlas were the parents of Erica and Johnathan. Autopsies are scheduled for all victims and the suspect, Ables said.
Aiken Public Safety officers responded to The Boundary at Silver Bluff Apartments on Silver Bluff Road about 1:30 a.m. Friday and found four deceased individuals inside an apartment, a press release says. The fifth victim was transported to a local hospital with severe injuries.
A report says that Lt. Spann and Officer Gaston responded to “an active shooting.”
“While walking past the apartments, we heard a gunshot come from the apartment,” Officer Gaston wrote in the report. “I took cover at the side of the apartment building while Lt. took cover behind a vehicle. Other units began arriving on scene.”
Anyone with information on this crime should call Aiken Department of Public Safety at (803) 642-7620 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 888-CRIME-SC (888-274- 6372). Callers may remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward up to $1000.
Greg Rickabaugh is the Jail Report Contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at greg.rickabaugh@theaugustapress.com.
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