The Community Times Dispatch

Nathaniel Harris, 48, of 100 Sniders Highway, Apt. L3, Walterboro, S.C. was arrested and charged with burglary first, kidnapping, assault and battery with intent to kill, grand larceny, felon in possession of a weapon and armed robbery.

Derrick Ladel Aiken, 29, of 315 6th Street, Walterboro, was arrested and charged with accessory before and after the fact.

Stevie Aiken and Derrick Aiken are brothers.

The testament of Gooding’s will to survive is witnessed through grueling chronicle of events the elderly woman has endured since early Monday. Reports indicate that she fought to defend herself from her attackers, was shot with a gun, and put into the trunk of her own vehicle, where she remained alive after, at least, twelve hours.

HCSO Public Information Officer Shellie Murdaugh issued a release Tuesday outlining a reported summary of events surrounding the case.

Officers responded to the residence around 1:30a.m. Monday, after receiving a call from neighbors concerned about Margaret Gooding after hearing a gunshot. Once they arrived on scene, they observed evidence of foul play.

A broken window, blood in the residence and Gooding’s car having vacated the premises gave rise to an immediate search for Gooding. Law enforcement throughout Hampton County, as well as, Colleton County, the Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter was called in to aid in the search for Gooding’s car. A reverse 911 system was also used to help aid in the search.

The search continued throughout the day on Monday, as a break came in the investigation when a black male entered the BB&T Bank in Walterboro around 2 p.m. and attempted to cash one of Gooding’s checks. The male was then apprehended for questioning.

Around 4 p.m. on Monday, a Colleton businessman made contact with law enforcement regarding a white car that had been parked near his business in the same location for many hours.

“I saw the car as early as 7:00 a.m., the witness said. “I just regret that I didn’t make contact with law enforcement earlier.”

The witness gave the license tag number to 911, at which time Colleton County Sheriff’s Office responded along with Colleton County Fire Rescue to the scene and discovered Gooding in the trunk of her car. Hampton County Sheriff T.C. Smalls and several South Carolina Law Enforcement agents arrived to the scene minutes later and continued their investigation.

Gooding had at least one gunshot wound and was transported by helicopter to MUSC in Charleston for treatment. She was in stable condition late Monday night and expected to make a full recovery.

Upon further investigation, the suspects were arrested and charged in the case Tuesday morning.