Suspect killed woman while poaching deer on Summerville Trail

Courtesy of the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office

Kristopher Kelle McDonald, 20, was arrested and charged with high and aggravated assault and battery and involuntary manslaughter.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), which is assisting in the investigation, has issued warrants for additional charges. These include criminally negligent use of a firearm resulting in death, criminally negligent use of a firearm resulting in grievous bodily harm and night hunting.

According to the arrest warrant from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, McDonald was criminally negligent while illegally hunting deer Tuesday night on the Sawmill Branch Canal Trail in Summerville.

The document states he fired three to four rounds with his .20-gauge shotgun at what he thought was a deer when he heard leaves and tree branches moving near the canal.

Dorchester EMS located two people upon arrival, a woman and a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the man was transported to the hospital, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office has identified Lori Wind, 54, of Summerville as the victim who was shot on the trail while walking with her husband and dog.

Deputies say McDonald saw the incident on the news the next morning and turned himself in to the sheriff’s office, where he confessed to deer hunting at night.

McDonald is currently in custody at the LC Knight Detention Center in Dorchester County. He was given a $400,000 bond.

He was granted a $400,000 bond Thursday afternoon. He is scheduled to appear in court again in December.

The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, Dorchester County Coroner’s Office, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Summerville Police Department are investigating.

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