OCSO Files Additional Charges in Relation to Monday Night Shooting Incident

(Walhalla, SC)———Investigators from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office have filed additional charges against a Westminster man who has been charged in relation to a Monday night shooting incident.

24 year old Matthew Dillard Fowler of Spy Mountain Road was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 6:20am Tuesday morning and was charged with Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime. Fowler was charged with shooting a man in the leg on Longcreek Highway Monday night.

The two latest arrest warrants, obtained against Fowler, charge him with Kidnapping and Malicious Injury to Personal Property. At this time, Fowler remains in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center.

The victim was located on the side of Longcreek Highway and was treated on scene by paramedics and transported to the hospital for further treatment. Based upon evidence gathered, deputies learned that an altercation occurred between Fowler and the victim, inside of a vehicle, which led to Fowler shooting the victim.

Fowler was arrested last Monday on N. Bibb Street in Westminster after deputies and officers from the Westminster Police Department responded to the scene of a disturbance call.

As the investigation continued and evidence was gathered in the case, it was determined that Fowler had unlawfully confined a female passenger in the vehicle, a Toyota Camry, where the shooting had occurred and would not let her leave or call for help.

The Malicious Injury to Personal Property charge stems from damage to the engine of the Camry due to a round fired from the gun by Fowler.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. At this time, due to safety concerns, the names of the victims involved will not be released by the Sheriff’s Office. Also, the condition of the gunshot victim will not be released due to health privacy concerns.