Father arrested in connection to shooting, killing son during altercation

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Deputies in Dorchester County have arrested a man accused of shooting his 27-year-old son in the neck, killing him.

Ronald McDonald was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. McDonald is sitting at the Dorchester County Detention Center with a $20,000 bond.

Investigators say Ronald and his son Cody got into a physical altercation at a home on Cone Lane. Deputies were dispatched to the home for reports of a shooting at 3:31 a.m. on June 26, according to an incident report.

During the physical altercation, Ronald went to get a shotgun in the home and then fired one shot at Cody, according to the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies arrived at the home to find Cody suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck on the front porch, the report states. Deputies immediately began chest compressions while waiting for EMS to arrive.

The sheriff’s office said the shooting was in self-defense, and the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office agreed, so Ronald will not be charged in relation to the death of Cody. Ronald is not permitted to possess firearms due to him being a convicted felon.

Ronald was detained on the scene after being combative towards authorities. When law enforcement searched the home, they found blood throughout and a wooden-handled rifle.