"Live by the gun, die by the gun":14 yr-old charged with double murder community speaks

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — A 14-year-old is being charged with murder in a deadly double shooting that killed another teen and a 36-year-old man.

It happened in a gated neighborhood near Decker Boulevard.

Torrean Sims with Gangs and Peace is talking about the threat of gun violence on the youth in the community. Sims knew the teens involved in the incident personally, and his organization focuses on helping the youth rise against gun and gang violence.

"Let 'em' know sometimes when you're dealing with guns, okay well you live by the gun you die by the gun you know so give them another option another route out." Sims adds, We don't have enough people stepping up doing things for the kids i think if we got more activities involved, then it'll give kids enough time to do something positive." said Sims

The scene along Angel Garden Way near Decker Boulevard was swamped with police following the incident.

Officials say the night before, a group of teens robbed another teen and Archie was involved in an altercation when he went to confront them the day after.

Investigators say the 14-year-old had a pistol with an illegal device on it that made the gun fully automatic.

Sims says the environment a kid grows up in plays a role in how they grow up which is why he believes the community needs to do better at creating positive spaces.

"When you're a kid and you're waking up every day and this is what you're seeing you're going to adapt to what you see you're going to adapt to the community so it is really up to the community to change the narrative of the story," said Sims

According to officials, the 14-year-old shot Archie and a 16-year-old, killing them, and also shot himself in the leg during the incident.

The 14-year-old is facing double murder charges, along with a 14-year-old and 16-year-old facing charges tied to the robbery the day before.

Sims says incidents like this will have a lasting impact on all the children involved and those who witnessed.

"Just seeing someone get shot not even speaking on the death part but just seeing someone get shot can be trauma to a child and that's something that could kind of haunt them." added Sims, "At the end of the day what you want to do is help them get rid of that trauma help them to see something else something positive out of a negative situation," said Sims

According to officials, the 14-year-old was transported to the juvenile wing of Alvin S. Glenn detention center.

Investigators say the investigation is still ongoing and they encourage anyone with information to reach out.