A judge has denied bond for a Bennettsville man accused of holding his former girlfriend hostage for more than 24 hours and shooting the woman’s sister in the leg.
Brian Brand, 29, of 265 Brushy Bay Road, is charged with assault and battery with intent to kill and kidnapping, Bennettsville Police Lt. John Hepburn said.
Bennettsville Municipal Judge Walker H. “Woody” Collins ordered that Brand remain in custody at the Marlboro County Detention Center for the time being. Brand may have another bond hearing in circuit court in January.
The hostage situation began early Wednesday afternoon and ended late Thursday afternoon in Bennettsville.
A woman was shot during the incident, which began about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at a mobile home on Lawson Street.
The 25-year-old hostage managed to escape from him when he fell asleep. She took the gun from him, threw it out of the home and made it out safely.
After negotiating with officers, the suspect surrendered about five minutes after the hostage escaped, Hepburn said.
Bennettsville Police Chief Larry McNeil said no gunfire was exchanged between the suspect and officers.
Family members of the victims said a man armed with a gun went to the residence, which belongs to his e-xgirlfriend’s mother.
They said the mother was able to escape, but the ex-girlfriend was forced to stay inside.
The ex-girlfriend’s sister, who also lives in the mobile home, was shot, her family members said.
Teddy Hodge, a cousin of the shooting victim, said she was taken for treatment to a Columbia hospital because the bullet is lodged in her ankle. She continues to recover there.
Hodge said the suspect ordered her out of the residence and, as she was leaving, he shot her in the leg.
The investigation involved several local law enforcement agencies, including the Marlboro and Chesterfield county sheriff’s offices and State Law Enforcement Division, that established a perimeter around the residence.
— Morning News staff writer Jamie Rogers contributed to this report.
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