Lake City Police Chief Patrick Miles calls for patience from the community as investigations continue into the Simmons Street incident that resulted in the death of well-known local businessman Fernander Barr.
The Lake City Police Department responded to Simmons Street for a shooting incident on Thursday night, June 19. Officers had responded to the scene within seconds of being dispatched to find one victim shot several times, one victim with severe lacerations to the neck, and a third victim with what appeared to be blunt force injuries to the face.
According to Lake City Police Department Chief Patrick Miles, the responding officers located three individuals in the front yard of a residence bleeding profusely from various injuries with a female screaming for help.
“All three individuals, the decedent included, were conscious on law enforcements arrival and were transported to nearby hospitals by Florence County EMS,” said Chief Miles. “Investigators recovered the edged weapon along with the handgun from the scene and noted forced entry along with forensic evidence inside the residence.”
Officers were able to determine:
- One male individual suffered what appeared to be three gunshot wounds, two to the back with no exit wound and one gunshot wound to the left hand.
- A second male victim, the decedent Fernander Barr, suffered a severe laceration to the neck. An autopsy confirmed a small caliber gunshot wound under the chin, consistent with the caliber of first male victim’s injuries.
- A female victim suffered a laceration to the face and possible skeletal injuries.
Chief Miles added that, while still processing the crime scene, investigators were advised that Barr succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
“While cataloging and processing Barr’s remains investigators recovered forensic and handwritten evidence that Barr advised officers of prior to being transported. After processing the crime scene along with Barr’s remains, investigators collected physical evidence that will be submitted to the SLED forensics lab for further processing,” said Chief Miles.
Since the incident, the surviving gunshot victim and female victim have been interviewed by investigators. In addition, investigators have interviewed a third individual who was inside the residence with a minor child, neither of whom were involved in the altercation.
“Our investigative staff have been in contact with the 12th Judicial Circuit Solicitors Office and no criminal charges have been filed. All appropriate steps and investigative measures are being taken,” said Chief Miles.
“This is a complex domestic-related death investigation where a series of events dating back to 2022 spiraled leading us to the events of that night,” Chief Miles added. “The Lake City Police Department asks for patience from the community. Analyzing the forensic evidence in this case will take time. The immediate family of Barr have been made aware of the details in this case, and we ask that the family’s privacy and wishes be respected.”
Chief Miles is planning to request SLED review the facts of the case as well. Upon the conclusion of the investigation this case will be submitted to the 12th Judicial Circuit Solicitors office for an independent review.