Investigators seek information about stabbing
Published 8:42 pm Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Local law enforcement is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a Friday stabbing in Washington.
Taequan Mackey, 21, a resident of Washington, suffered a stab wound to the chest during a brawl at neighborhood hangout, according to a press release from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Mackey was airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, where he is expected to recover, the release said.
Law enforcement responded to 2410 W. Fifth St., at 11:45 p.m., after a report of an assault in progress was called in. Both sheriff’s office deputies and Washington Police officers encountered a large crowd, about 100 strong, at the scene. The barn, owned by Phillipi Gorham, had been converted to a bar-like atmosphere, complete with pool tables, a card table, a vending machine and a bar, according to Maj. Kenneth Watson, spokesman for the sheriff’s office. Watson said there was evidence of liquor being sold at the site.
Watson said several people were involved in the fight, and the weapon used on Mackey was a folding pocket knife.
“It started out as a fist fight and then a knife was used during the ongoing assault,” Watson said.
The investigation is ongoing and the Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Beaufort County Crime Stoppers by phone, text or through their website. Call 252-974-6400; text a tip anonymously by dialing 274637 on a cellphone and in the body of the message, type BCSO131 and the tip; or submit a tip through the Crime Stoppers website, www.beaufortcountycrimestoppers.com, by following the “Tip Line” link and filling
out an online form. Calls, texts, and emails are anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest or the recovery of stolen property. Tipsters do not have to give their name to receive a reward.