Authorities in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, have apprehended a suspect involved in a motel shooting that triggered an AMBER Alert. On Friday, a shooting took place at the Rodeway Inn, resulting in the critical injury of a female victim.
Incident Overview
The shooting occurred around 11:36 a.m. at the motel on New Cut Road. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was subsequently rushed to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Suspect Information
Law enforcement officials have charged 30-year-old Juan Carlos Morales with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. After the shooting, he allegedly abducted two young children, ages 4 and 6.
AMBER Alert Activation
Authorities issued an AMBER Alert shortly before 3 p.m. as they sought to locate Morales and the children. They described the suspect vehicle as a white 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander with South Carolina license plate 669BMX. Management at the Rodeway Inn supported law enforcement efforts by sharing surveillance footage and vehicle images.
Eyewitness Accounts
A maintenance worker at the motel was one of the first on the scene. He reported hearing the gunshot and later discovered the victim lying on the floor of room 147. Despite attempts to contact her, the suspect had fled by the time law enforcement arrived.
Successful Recovery of the Children
Thanks to advanced surveillance technology, authorities tracked Morales using FLOCK cameras. Around 3:30 p.m., law enforcement apprehended him in Towns County, Georgia, and safely recovered the two children.
Next Steps for the Suspect
Morales is currently being held in the Towns County Detention Facility. He is expected to be transferred to Spartanburg County for a bond hearing in connection with the charges against him.
Details regarding the investigation are still unfolding, and further updates are anticipated.
