The suspect in Saturday’s shootings across three counties tried to take out some officers in the process, according to authorities.
Five charges of attempted murder have been added to a a sole murder count against the 30-year-old suspect, who is now identified as Larry Bernard Mackie Jr. of Graniteville.
When deputies arrived at Mackie’s home on Saddlebrook Trail in Graniteville at lunchtime Saturday, they found his family members holding the 250-pound suspect. But while trying to take him into custody, Mackie fought three officers and tried to take Sgt. Roberts’ service weapon, an arrest warrant says. Mackie also threatened to “kill law enforcement if he got their weapon.”
Authorities say Mackie started his Saturday morning by randomly shooting motorist Nancy Forbes while driving on U.S. Highway 1 in Richmond County in a black Hyundai Sonata.
An hour later, he allegedly showed up at the Family Dollar in Wrens, Ga., where he stood in line without saying a word and then shot clerk Cindy Whiting multiple times as she stood at the register. Both victims survived and have reportedly undergone several surgeries.
Authorities have found no motive or connection between Mackie and the first two victims, although they are exploring the possibility he was off his medication for schizophrenia.
After the first two shootings, he showed up at the Graniteville home before noon where he was living and “repeatedly” shot 14-year-old Nathanial Johnson as the teen was sleeping in a bed, authorities said.
Mackie is related to the teen through marriage.
The suspect also shot his father, Larry Mackie Sr. in the arm and leg, and tried to shoot his stepmother, Patricia Mackie, according to arrest warrants.
Mackie is charged with murder, five counts of attempted murder and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Meanwhile, Wrens Police Chief Jamey Kitchens said his agency has obtained warrants against Mackie for criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, burglary and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime for the Family Dollar shooting. Mackie would only face those charges if extradited from South Carolina.
