Sumter man wanted after mass shooting in Orangeburg in custody following nearly 3-month manhunt

Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell held a news conference at Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday afternoon, announcing the arrest of Sincere Gibbs, the suspect in a mass shooting that injured seven in Orangeburg, after a nearly three-month manhunt.

The shooting occurred during a party in Orangeburg on Saturday, March 29. Seven people were wounded during the gunfire and several others were trampled as chaos ensued, according to Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Gibbs, 19, was identified as the suspect and was wanted on seven counts of attempted murder, three counts of instigating a riot with a weapon, one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime and one count of aggravated breach of peace, according to the sheriff’s office.

Ravenell added how Gibbs was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the shooting but had disabled it on March 11, before the shooting.

Since the shooting, Ravenell said “the manhunt was on” and credits collaborating agencies, including United States Marshals Service, which provided $5,000 of the $10,000 reward money; a community anonymous donor who offered the other $5,000; and Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts. He said this reward had Gibbs “moving around the state,” as far as the Upstate.

“He was confused to the point where he didn’t know where to go. He was stupid to the point where he didn’t know who to trust,” Ravenell said.

On Monday, June 16, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office surrounded a residence in Wedgefield after a tipster, who was not present at the residence, called and reported Gibbs’ whereabouts. Gibbs walked out and surrendered, according to Ravenell.

“He’s not running,” Ravenell said, pointing to a photo of Gibbs handcuffed in the back of a deputy vehicle, adding, “This is how I like to see him.”

Inside the residence where Gibbs was located, there were five individuals, including three adults, according to the sheriff’s office. Ravenell said law enforcement intends to “go after” everyone who aided Gibbs in evading law enforcement during the course of the manhunt.

Ravenell thanked the community for stepping up, explaining “it shows they have faith in law enforcement.”

Gibbs was transported to Orangeburg and placed in custody on the aforementioned charges. Information on a bond was not released by press time.