Deputies arrest Florence man in beer bottle, Maglite beating
A Florence man was arrested Monday after deputies said he and his brother severely beat a man during a dispute at the Cooty Hut nightclub in Florence, said Florence County Sheriff’s Lt. Brett Camp.
Damon McSwain Welch, 29, of 3026 McCracken St. is charged with second-degree lynching, Florence County Detention Center bookings reports show. He was released the same day after posting bond.
The incident happened Nov. 2 at the nightclub when the two suspects struck the victim several times with a beer bottle and a Maglite flashlight, Camp said.
The victim suffered a skull fracture during the fight and received extensive treatment at a local hospital, he said.
The suspect’s brother Michael McSwain Welch, 35, of Summerton also is wanted on second-degree lynching charges.
Anyone with information about Michael Welch’s whereabouts can call the Florence County Sheriff’s Office at (843) 665-2121 or Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at (843) 667-TIPS (8477) or (866) 369-TIPS (8477).
Reader Reactions
Let me just say that the ‘'victim’‘ in this situation, I hope he gets better.
However…there is 2 sides to every story and let me just say some facts. The victim in this is a pretty big guy, 6’4 with some lbs. He was intoxicated and was asked to leave because he was starting stuff with innocent people. Soon later the victim returned and entered the building, pussh an innocent girl out the way and calling her a “b*tch”. It was then he was hit with a bottle and i suppose the anger got the best of people when this guy returned.
The COOTIE Hut is not a night club, it is a private party for local and touring bands to host shows. NOBODY wants trouble…the victim in this got hurt very bad for starting trouble.
Hope you enjoy my report, it’s always best to know both sides to every story!
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