A federal grand jury in Columbia has indicted Derrick Gathers, 38, of Augusta, Georgia, on a single count for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment stems from an incident on April 16, 2023, where Gathers allegedly shot at a South Carolina State Trooper.
Gathers is already facing several state charges related to the same incident. Due to his prior felony conviction, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. If convicted on the federal charge, Gathers could face up to 15 years in prison. He is currently detained on state charges.
The trooper involved in the shooting, Lance Corporal Frazier, has since recovered.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust within communities and supporting community-based organizations. PSN's strategy includes setting focused enforcement priorities and measuring results.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office; Dorchester County Sheriff's Office; and Bamberg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Fyall is leading the prosecution.
It should be noted that all charges are accusations at this stage. Defendants remain innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.