Teen killed in shooting outside Ridgeville bar and lounge; 2 security guards charged with murder

RIDGEVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A teenager was shot and killed early Sunday morning at a Ridgeville bar and lounge.

Berkeley County Coroner Darnell Hartwell said his office was notified of a shooting that happened around 1:20 a.m. at the Exotic Kloudz Bar & Lounge on Old Gilliard Road.

The victim, identified as 16-year-old Antonio L. Campbell Jr. from Ridgeville, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Coroner Hartwell.

“Apparently, there was an altercation that occurred on the outside of the establishment where a 16-year-old boy again got into an altercation with some staff members of that bar and lounge,” said Hartwell. “Unfortunately, the victim was shot and was pronounced deceased at the scene from his injuries.”

Officials say the shooter was a security guard working for the bar, and authorities are investigating the case as a homicide.

“The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office detectives are currently working on this case as we speak. I believe a suspect has been arrested, and we are working on this case as we speak,” said Hartwell.

Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis said two men were arrested in connection with the shooting: Timothy Walker, Jr. 34, of Eagle Pass Road, and Kenneth Lorenzo Porter, Jr., 33, of Staffordshire Drive, have both been charged with murder. Both worked at the bar as security guards.

Sheriff Lewis said the department is working with the State Law Enforcement Division to determine whether the club is a properly licensed and legal establishment.

The bar posted a statement on its Facebook page about the incident which said in part:

“Exotic Kloudz would like to apologize to its customers for the traumatizing situation that occurred last night.  The safety of others has always been something I try to stay on top of as a business.  To the family of the young man, my sympathy and condolences goes out to you.  I couldn’t even imagine the hurt and pain everyone is going through during such a difficult time.”

The shooting is being investigated by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and Berkeley County Coroner’s Office.