The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting involving a man who was accused of sexual assault. The incident occurred on Monday, resulting in charges against Thomas Earl Coburn, 40, for attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
The investigation began on Sunday when deputies responded to a report of a sexual assault at a home on Dawsey Drive in Bonneau, South Carolina. The alleged victim was a child, and the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Brandon William Clark, fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. K-9 units were deployed to search for Clark but were unsuccessful in locating him. As a result, a warrant for Clark’s arrest was issued on the charge of criminal sexual conduct.
The following day, deputies were dispatched to a 911 call regarding a shooting at the Country Corner Store on West Main Street in Bonneau. Upon arrival, they found Clark suffering from gunshot wounds. Authorities identified him as the victim of the shooting. Coburn, the shooting suspect, was still at the scene and was arrested by deputies without incident.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the shooting was related to the previous assault case. Emergency medical services transported Clark to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Despite the severity of the injuries, jail records indicate that Clark had not been booked for the pending criminal sexual conduct charge as of the latest updates.
Coburn was arrested and taken to the Hill-Finklea Detention Center, where he remains in custody. No bond has been set for either of the charges he faces. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to gather further details on the case.
