Man took selfies with shotgun outside West Ashley church, deputies say
CHARLESTON, S.C. April 13 2019 A Charleston man is in jail, charged with trespassing and lying to officers, after authorities say he was seen taking photos of himself with a shotgun outside a West Ashley church.
Derrick S. Robinson was arrested Thursday morning after Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Deputies located him outside St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on Wappoo Road.
When deputies arrived, they say Robinson was seated at an outside table, with a 20-gauge shotgun, two cell phones, two laptops and a portable charger near him.
Robinson claimed the gun was on the property when he arrived. Deputies are working to determine the origin of the shotgun and the multiple electronic devices that were located nearby.
Robinson was on prior trespass notice from the church, after parents who drop their children off at the church’s daycare complained in the past that Robinson’s presence around the church worried them.
Deputies also said that Robinson had discarded items, including firearms, in the woods adjacent to the church in the past. He wasn’t legally allowed to possess a gun, according to deputies.
Police say they initially responded Wednesday after the church’s pastor alerted authorities to Robinson’s presence following an alert from the church’s security system.
The pastor told police video from the church’s Ring cameras showed Robinson on the property appearing to take photos of himself with the gun and some of the electronics.
Deputies say they did not conclude Robinson made any threat to or planned an attack against the church or church members.
As a precautionary measure, deputies say they will increase patrols in the area.
WCIV
