A Graniteville man has been arrested and charged after an early morning North Augusta shooting at Pine Crest Apartments.
Robert Alexander Smith, 26, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of kidnapping and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, according to North Augusta Department of Public Safety Lt. Tim Thornton.
Smith has been booked and is being held at North Augusta Public Safety pending transport to the Aiken County Detention Center later today.
All that were evacuated from the building have been cleared to return home, Thornton said.
According to North Augusta Department of Public Safety dispatch, the call came in at 2:06 a.m., and a SWAT team responded.
While on patrol, North Augusta Department of Public Safety officers reported a gunshot coming from the Pine Crest Apartment area at 12:26 a.m. followed by male voices yelling at each other, according to reports.
Officers were advised by dispatch that an anonymous caller had reported the shooting, and Smith had run into one of the apartment complex buildings, according to reports.
Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate Smith, shell casings or a gun, police said.
Officers were called to the complex again at 1:19 a.m. when a caller said Smith was hiding in a vehicle in the parking lot, according to reports.
Officers were unsuccessful in locating Smith, and left the scene, police said.
At 2:06 a.m., officers responded to the complex for another call of shots fired. Officers found multiple shell casings, and noticed bullet holes in an apartment, according to reports.
Officers found the residence who said Smith was walking around the complex Tuesday telling people someone had stolen his gun, police said.
The resident told Smith she did not have his gun, and Smith replied saying someone would die if he did not get it back, according to reports.
The resident then said she woke up to gunshots, and took cover on the floor, police said.
Other witnesses told officers stories with matching time elements, and one said Smith had hidden in an apartment in the building, police said.
One witness said Smith entered her home, and appeared to be intoxicated, police said. Smith kept repeating he did not want to go to jail, according to reports.
After witness interviews, the building was evacuated, and the SWAT team was notified of Smith's location. During the evacuation, Smith's father made contact with police, and he was able to make phone contact with Smith, according to reports.
Smith then surrendered without incident, according to police.
Will Whaley is the crime and court reporter for the Aiken Standard.