Bomb Threats

On March 29, 2018 at 9:02 am, deputies from the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call for service stating that there was a bomb located at Palmetto Bone and Joint Clinic, 22971 Highway 76 East, Clinton, SC. When deputies arrived on the scene, employees and patients had evacuated the business. At 9:05 am, Laurens County deputies received another call for service at the GHS Laurens Memorial Hospital, 22725 Highway 76 East, Clinton, SC stating that the hospital also contained a bomb. Moments later, first responders arrived on scene and it was determined by hospital personnel to evacuate the building. After a detailed search of both locations, deputies did not locate a bomb or any objects foreign in nature. Employees and patients returned to their respective businesses.

At 2:11 p.m., deputies received a Crime Stoppers tip indicating a bomb was located at the Laurens County Courthouse. The premises were evacuated, and deputies did not locate anything suspicious or foreign in nature. After a detailed investigation, investigators have placed 29-year-old Eric Rico Hill of 304 Bailey Street, Clinton, SC under arrest for making bomb threats. A preliminary investigation reveals that Rico Hill was responsible for making threatening calls to the Palmetto Bone and Joint Clinic and the GHS Laurens Memorial Hospital. Deputies are still actively investigating the threats made to the Laurens County Courthouse. Sheriff Reynolds stated, “I am extremely proud of the investigators and deputies of the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. Since these events unfolded, the men and women at the Sheriff’s Office have worked non-stop to make an arrest!” The Sheriff’s Office was also assisted by SLED, Clinton Public Safety and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in searching the premises.