Shooting incident reported near Planned Parenthood in South Carolina

Details of a shooting incident allegedly involving a pro-life activist and occurring near a South Carolina Planned Parenthood on November 14 remain unclear.

Key Takeaways:

At the time of publication, Live Action News has learned:

• Scant details of the incident are available.

• Police have not released the incident report nor publicly named the "person of interest" in the ongoing investigation into the incident.

• Descriptions of the incident provided by pro-abortion activists are inconclusive as to whether any actions taken by the parties involved were in self-defense.

What We're Hearing:

The Post and Courier report alleged:

The shooting reportedly occurred at the 2700 block of Middleburg Drive, police said. Officers were dispatched around 10:45 a.m. One man had been detained as of 11:45 a.m. The injured person was taken to a local hospital for treatment. There is currently “no threat to public safety,” police said in a social media post.

That post read: "#ColumbiaPDSC officers are investigating an isolated shooting incident at the 2700 block of Middleburg Drive. Patrol officers were dispatched around 10:45 a.m. after a male was shot. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. One person has been detained. No threat to public safety. Updates will be posted here as more info information becomes available."

The Post and Courier report continued:

The shooting occurred in a parking lot adjacent to the Planned Parenthood clinic located on the block, police said.

Columbia police responded to a reported shooting and found an injured man, Capt. P.J. Blendowski told reporters. Officers rendered aid and he was transferred to the hospital, where he is in stable condition, Blendowski said.

Police also took a "person of interest," a male, in to custody. He has been taken to police headquarters for questioning.

Blendowski described the shooting as an "isolated incident.” The investigation is ongoing, with police interviewing witnesses and looking for video evidence to determine whether it had anything to do with Planned Parenthood, he said.

"At this time, we cannot say it is directly involved with Planned Parenthood. But if any of that changes, of course, we'll provide an update when it becomes available," Blendowski is quoted as saying.

While the Planned Parenthood is alleged to be in an area adjacent to the location of the incident, the media outlet also claimed that "The parking lot also is outside the Richland County Magistrates Court and VettFirst Security digital fingerprinting service."

"The block of Middleburg Drive is notably home to offices for healthcare and nonprofit organizations, including Columbia’s Planned Parenthood clinic," reported WIS 10News.

Columbia Police Brief Media After Shooting Near Planned Parenthood

What We Can Confirm:

Live Action News reached out to the Columbia Police Department requesting the incident report and we were directed to visit the Department's "X" account for updates.

At 11:19 a.m., the account stated:

Update: The shooting incident at Middleburg Drive did NOT occur at the Planned Parenthood building. It occurred in an adjacent parking lot. Once #ColumbiaPDSC investigators can confirm additional information in this on-going investigation, we will provide updates.

In addition to the police, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic — which operates the center — also confirmed on Facebook that no Planned Parenthood staff were "involved" in the incident.

This afternoon, Live Action News requested the incident report from law enforcement but we were told in an e-mail that "the report remains in progress."

In addition, Jennifer Timmons, Public Information Officer for the Columbia Police Department, could not confirm the "person of interest," writing in an e-mail response, "We do not release names of persons we are interviewing. We release names of suspects who have been charged or suspects we are looking for in an effort to aid an investigation."

Unconfirmed 'Person of Interest':

Despite the person of interest being "unconfirmed", FITSNEWS.com has reported:

Witnesses have told FITSNews the incident began when pro-life protester Mark Baumgartner – who runs a sidewalk ministry – was allegedly accosted by an unknown individual.

According to these witnesses, Baumgartner – who tried to retreat from the scene – ultimately shot the man in what they insist was an act of self-defense.

“One person has been detained” in connection with the incident, police confirmed – although they have yet to release any names of individuals involved in the incident.

Abortion activists are also weighing in, with Jessica Valenti writing on her blog, Abortion every Day (AED), that witnesses have "identified the shooter as Mark Baumgartner, head of a 'sidewalk counseling' group called A Moment of Hope."

Valenti and co-author Kylie Cheung (both pro-abortion activists) also claimed they were provided with video of the incident, but are "choosing not to publish the video at this time—not until we’ve investigated all possible safety and privacy concerns." They wrote:

Video of the incident provided to Abortion, Every Day ... shows someone who appears to be Baumgartner escalating a verbal argument by pepper-spraying the victim. When the victim reacts by running after Baumgartner—attempting to throw a punch in response—Baumgartner and several anti-abortion protesters tackle him to the ground. After the victim stands and tries to swing again, someone shoots him in the leg. The video shows both Baumgartner and another anti-abortion protester holding guns.

By not publishing the video, Valenti's accusations and understanding of what did or did not take place remain unconfirmed at this point.

The Bottom Line:

"I know it was a big point of concern of whether or not the shooting took place at Planned Parenthood," stated an officer at the scene, quoted in the above video. "By all indications at this time it occurred in an adjacent parking lot."

So far, police have determined this was an "isolated incident" and that there is "no threat to the public."

Live Action News will update as more details become available.