In Sumter mass shooting, 3 children were siblings, 2 adults were U.S. Army Central soldiers, officials confirm

U.S. Army Central Maj. Jason Welch confirmed with The Sumter Item that two people assigned to U.S. Army Central at Shaw Air Force Base have died as a result of the shooting that occurred late Tuesday night.

Welch said the names could not be released yet at this time. They are working to notify next of kin, and the military must wait 24 hours before releasing additional information.

Three children and two men, one of whom is believed to be the shooter, were found shot to death at a Whitetail Circle residence before 10:30 p.m., said Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the police department. There was at least one surviving person at the scene, McGirt said. The person's relationship to those dead has not been released.

Sumter School District Superintendent William Wright Jr. said two of the children killed attended Millwood Elementary School and another attended Alice Drive Middle School. He said they were all siblings.

School counselors and the district’s Crisis Response Team are at the schools assisting students and staff who need assistance with the loss.

“Our hearts are filled with sadness, and we will continue to lend support to one another during this time,” Wright said.

No other information could be provided at this time. McGirt said there is no apparent threat to the public, and officers are continuing to investigate. Details will be released a later time.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect a change in the time of the incident reported by the police department. Breaking news situations are fluid, and information may be updated as more comes to light.