Bennettsville Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a suspect in a shooting and information about a second shooting hours later.

According to Bennettsville Police Sgt. Det. Tim Hood, officers were dispatched to the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office around 9 p.m. on Dec. 23 to meet with a complainant about someone shot in the city limits.

Hood said officers and the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office deputies learned that the victim was sitting inside a vehicle parked in the parking lot of the Eastside Grocery Store.

The complainant advised that the subject Khalil Dease came out of the store and went over to the vehicle where the victim was sitting in the passenger’s front seat.

During the investigation, it was determined that Dease got into a verbal altercation with the individuals inside the vehicle.

Hood said Dease then shot into the vehicle, striking the victim in the upper body one time.

The victim was transported to an area hospital for further treatment.

Hood said the Bennettsville Police Department is asking the public for assistance on the whereabouts of Khalil Dease.

If someone knows any information, they are to call dispatch at 843-479-1111 or Hood at 843-439-0843.

Second shooting on Dec. 24

At around 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, officers responded to the Eastside Grocery store about shots being fired.

Once on scene, officers learned that a projectile struck a house and a vehicle that was in the parking lot of the store was also struck.

Hood said officers spoke with bystanders, and no one saw anything during the shooting.

The BPD is asking the public if anyone was near that area during the time of the shooting and witnessed anything to call dispatch at 843-479-1111 or Hood at 843-439-0843.