Coroner identifies 8-year-old SC child killed during home invasion

LEXINGTON COUNTY, SC (WIS) - A male suspect is being sought by Lexington County deputies after a child was shot and killed during a reported home invasion early Tuesday morning.

Deputies say the incident happened at a home in the 100 block Cedar Vale Drive around 12:20 a.m. Detectives recovered evidence they believe means the suspect was shot in an exchange of gunfire with the man who lives in the home, but was able to drive away from the scene.

The child has been identified by the Lexington Couny Coroner’s Office as 8-year-old Mason Hanahan. Hanahan was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at an area hospital from an apparent gunshot wound.

That man also suffered a gunshot wound that is not thought to be life-threatening, deputies said.

“We’re still working to piece the sequence of events together but getting a name on the man who fled the scene will be the most helpful to us,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “The death of the young child during this incident is tragic and our hearts go out to his family.”

Detectives have no description of the man they’re looking for because witnesses said he was masked while inside the house, according to Koon.

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Captain Adam Myrick said someone else in the home was also injured.

Koon said anyone with information about who might have been involved can remain anonymous when they share a tip by calling Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

This is a developing story; check back for more updates.

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