WINNSBORO – Winnsboro Department of Public Safety (WDPS) Chief of Police John Seibles announced on Tuesday that the first suspect in the recent series of drive-by shootings has been arrested.
William Barber, 19, was charged with attempted murder for the sixth of the seven shootings that occurred in the Town between April 21 and June 8, 2022, according to Seibles. Several unnamed juveniles were also arrested in connection with the shooting, according to officers.
That shooting occurred on June 8 in the vicinity of Castlewood Apartments on Calhoun Street.
Two people were traveling on Calhoun Street when Barber, driving a gray Dodge Charger, fired several shots at them, according to Seibles. Bullets hit the vehicle, but no one was injured, he said.
Following an investigation by WDPS Investigator Oren Gadsen and others in the department and with assistance from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Gadsen arrested Barber in Columbia on Tuesday and brought him back to Winnsboro. He remains in the Fairfield County Detention Center where he is being held without bond.
The investigation is ongoing in the other six shootings.
Seibles said at least three other arrest warrants have been obtained for suspects in the shootings.
“We certainly intend to end this very soon,” Seibles said. “We are working very hard, pursuing this very diligently,” he said. “These shootings will not be taken lightly in the Town of Winnsboro.”
Seibles said he believes most of the shootings to be acts of retribution.
GREAT JOB OFFICERS!!!
Good job John Seibles keep up the amazing work , keep these little dangerous dumb punks off the streets.