Laurens Courthouse Shooting Incident
Laurens, SC – August 14, 2024
At approximately 3:15 PM on August 12, 2024, a shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Laurens County Courthouse at Hillcrest Square. Deputies swiftly responded to reports of shots being fired right after a court hearing had concluded.
According to the initial investigation, after the court hearing, individuals involved exited the courthouse when the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Stephen Andrew White of Laurens, ran his vehicle into the victim. White then proceeded to shoot at the victim multiple times.
The victim, identified by the Laurens County Coroner’s Office as 34-year-old Erin Lee Thomas of Woodruff, began receiving immediate treatment on the scene before being airlifted for medical assistance. Tragically, Thomas succumbed to his injuries a short while later.
The suspect, Stephen Andrew White, was taken into custody without further incident. He is being held at the local detention center and is awaiting charges, which are expected to include Murder. Authorities have confirmed that this was an isolated incident.
No other courthouse staff or members of the public were injured during the incident. Courthouse staff promptly secured both the scene and the courthouse to ensure safety and prevent further escalation.
In the wake of this tragic event, the community has been left in shock. Local authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident.
The shooting at a normally secure location highlights the unpredictable nature of violent acts and has prompted discussions on additional safety measures. Courthouse security will be under review to prevent such incidents in the future.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. For now, the community mourns the loss of Erin Lee Thomas and await justice to take its course in this heartbreaking case.
