Dorchester County sheriff’s deputies arrested two people in connection with a retaliatory shooting that unfolded over multiple incidents at a Saint George residence, authorities announced Monday.

The trouble began on Feb. 14, when deputies responded to a shooting at the Saint George home and found a victim identified as Trevon Elmore, 25. Investigators determined the shooting stemmed from an earlier dispute, setting off a chain of events that would draw law enforcement back to the same address.

The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office has not released the full names of both suspects or detailed the precise sequence of events leading to each incident, but investigators described the violence as retaliatory in nature. That classification points to an escalating conflict rather than an isolated act, a pattern that local law enforcement has worked to address across the county’s more rural communities.

Saint George, the Dorchester County seat, sits roughly 50 miles northwest of Charleston. The small city has seen periodic spikes in violent crime tied to personal disputes, and investigators often point to retaliation cycles as among the most difficult patterns to interrupt once they take hold.

The DCSO did not immediately release the charges filed against the two suspects or identify them by name in its initial announcement. The Sentinel has submitted a public records request seeking the incident reports, arrest warrants, and booking records connected to the case. Under South Carolina law, arrest warrants become public record once served, and booking records are generally available through the county detention center.

The Feb. 14 date places the initial shooting on Valentine’s Day, though investigators have not indicated the holiday played any role in the circumstances of the case. Deputies have not publicly identified the nature of Elmore’s injuries or his current condition.

Investigators working violent crime cases in rural South Carolina often contend with witnesses reluctant to cooperate and with physical distances that complicate rapid response. The DCSO covers a county of roughly 575 square miles, and deputies frequently handle incidents in unincorporated areas where backup can take several minutes to arrive.

The DCSO’s announcement Monday offered limited detail, a common approach when active investigations are underway and prosecutors have not yet presented charges in court. Defense attorneys routinely argue that premature public disclosure can complicate jury selection and prejudice proceedings before they begin. Prosecutors and law enforcement agencies balance those concerns against the public’s interest in knowing when violent crimes occur in their communities and how authorities respond.

The Sentinel will update this report as additional records become available and as the suspects appear in court. Dorchester County bond hearings are typically held within 24 hours of arrest, and those proceedings are open to the public under state law.

Anyone with information about the incidents at the Saint George residence can contact the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office at their non-emergency line or submit a tip through Crimestoppers of the Lowcountry, which allows anonymous reporting and offers cash rewards for information leading to arrests.

The investigation remains active, according to the DCSO.