Carol Jackson Ray,Christopher Brian James Ray Arrested; – A grandmother and her grandson face charges following the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy, as reported by officials in South Carolina. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred when a group was handling a loaded firearm, leading to the grandson accidentally discharging the weapon and injuring the teenager in late November.
Those present at the residence are alleged to have attempted to conceal the circumstances surrounding the event. In a news release dated December 4, deputies stated, “Several conspired to try and report the shooting as a suicide and even had the audacity to move the gun closer to the victim.” The teenager succumbed to his injuries four days post-incident, and on December 3, the sheriff’s office announced the arrests.
The grandmother, 66-year-old Carol Jackson Ray, is charged with obstruction of justice, while her grandson, 20-year-old Christopher Brian James Ray, faces charges of manslaughter and illegal gun possession, as reported by WYFF and WHNS. Online court records indicate that both individuals are representing themselves. McClatchy News was unable to obtain contact information for them at this time.
Deputies responded to a call around 12:30 p.m. on November 22 at the Ray residence in Gaffney, located approximately 50 miles northeast of Greenville. Upon arrival, first responders discovered the injured teenager and transported him to a hospital, as detailed in a previous sheriff’s office release. Initially, investigators did not perceive any threat to the public, but they later uncovered that the narrative of the 15-year-old having shot himself was false, determining that Christopher Brian James Ray had fired the weapon.
The teenager was removed from life support on November 26, and shortly after his passing, the Rays were taken into custody. Sheriff Steve Mueller expressed his dismay in the news release, stating, “It’s a sad world when people try to stage a suicide because of their carelessness and recklessness while playing with a loaded handgun resulting in a tragic death. It is our hopes that they get all the justice they deserve when they have their day in court.” The Cherokee County sheriff’s and coroner’s offices have not yet provided additional information.
