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First responders gather outside of dd’s Discounts after a man took his own life on the premises on River’s Avenue in North Charleston on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The man entered the store armed with a long rifle, but shot himself before police arrived on the scene. No one else was harmed. Laura Bilson/Staff
- By Laura Bilson/lbilson@postandcourier.com
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Marina Gemenes, Katie Rivera, and Jesus Bacas watch across the street from dd’s Discounts after a man took his own life on the premises on River’s Avenue in North Charleston on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The three of them were trying to go to McDonald’s when police told them there was an active situation and they had to wait across the street. “It’s a good thing he didn’t hurt anybody,” said Bacas. Laura Bilson/Staff
- By Laura Bilson/lbilson@postandcourier.com
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North Charleston police responded to dd's Discounts around 1:30 p.m. July 20 after a report of a man armed with a long rifle entering the store. The man shot himself as police were preparing to enter. No one else was injured. Ali Rockett/Staff.
- By Ali Rockettarockett@postandcourier.com
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People walk past DD’s Discounts on River’s Avenue in North Charleston on Friday, July 21, 2023. The store will be closed until tomorrow after a man took his own life on the premises yesterday. Laura Bilson/Staff
- By Laura Bilson/lbilson@postandcourier.com
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DD’s Discounts on River’s Avenue will be closed until tomorrow after a man took his own life on the premises yesterday on Friday, July 21, 2023. Laura Bilson/Staff
- By Laura Bilson/lbilson@postandcourier.com
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Ali Rockett covers crime and public safety in the Charleston area. She previously worked at papers in Virginia and her home state of North Carolina.
Ali Rockett
Buy Now
First responders gather outside of dd’s Discounts after a man took his own life on the premises on River’s Avenue in North Charleston on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The man entered the store armed with a long rifle, but shot himself before police arrived on the scene. No one else was harmed. Laura Bilson/Staff
- By Laura Bilson/lbilson@postandcourier.com
Buy Now
Marina Gemenes, Katie Rivera, and Jesus Bacas watch across the street from dd’s Discounts after a man took his own life on the premises on River’s Avenue in North Charleston on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The three of them were trying to go to McDonald’s when police told them there was an active situation and they had to wait across the street. “It’s a good thing he didn’t hurt anybody,” said Bacas. Laura Bilson/Staff
- By Laura Bilson/lbilson@postandcourier.com
Buy Now
North Charleston police responded to dd's Discounts around 1:30 p.m. July 20 after a report of a man armed with a long rifle entering the store. The man shot himself as police were preparing to enter. No one else was injured. Ali Rockett/Staff.
- By Ali Rockettarockett@postandcourier.com
Buy Now
People walk past DD’s Discounts on River’s Avenue in North Charleston on Friday, July 21, 2023. The store will be closed until tomorrow after a man took his own life on the premises yesterday. Laura Bilson/Staff
- By Laura Bilson/lbilson@postandcourier.com
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DD’s Discounts on River’s Avenue will be closed until tomorrow after a man took his own life on the premises yesterday on Friday, July 21, 2023. Laura Bilson/Staff
- By Laura Bilson/lbilson@postandcourier.com
NORTH CHARLESTON — A man armed with a long rifle entered a discount store around 1:30 p.m. July 20, triggering a large emergency response at a busyshopping center.
North Charleston police officers responded to dd’s Discounts on Rivers Avenue, where they believed an active shooter was holding those inside the store that sells women and children's clothes hostage, according to Deputy Chief Scott Perry.
The 20 to 30 people inside the store wereevacuated safely, Perry said, adding that the armed man had been in a different part of the store.
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- By Ali Rockettarockett@postandcourier.com
As police prepared to enter the store to confront the gunman, they heard one gunshot, Perry said.
The man, who has not been identified, shot himself and died on the scene.
“We don’t know why he was there, or what the connection is,” he said.
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No one else was injured, police said.
Police did not fire their weapons, Perry said.
“It was never an active shooter situation,” he added.
The busy commercial center was blocked off for hours. The shopping center is home a McDonald's, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and the new location of El Molino Supermarket, a popular taquería and bakery.
Onlookers watched from outside the other businesses and across the busy avenue as police cleared the scene.
Police secured the scene, but asked the public avoid the area until they leave.
Reach Ali Rockett at 843-901-1708. Follow her on Twitter @AliRockettPC.
Ali Rockett
Ali Rockett covers crime and public safety in the Charleston area. She previously worked at papers in Virginia and her home state of North Carolina.
- Author email
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