A surveillance tape may hold the identity of those responsible for shooting the windows of more than 20 downtown businesses over the weekend.

"We're reviewing videotape from several locations," said Capt. Mike Adams, spokesman for the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. "It is believed that we do have the suspects on film. We're working to enhance the images that we have."

In what appears to be the second and maybe a third shooting spree in as many days, 21 Russell Street businesses have reported having at least one window shot with what appears to be a BB gun.

Karen Hutto of Palmetto Office Supply was notified Sunday that the family-owned business had been liberally peppered with shot. A piece of plywood replaced the Plexiglas entrance door on Monday.

"We had 18 holes in the windows," Hutto said. "I picked up glass about as far back as where Jack (Hutto) is standing," she said, indicating a distance of about 10 feet.

"I found the BB pellet," Jack Hutto said. "Thank goodness it didn't go on through any farther."

The weekend shooting spree included businesses from the corner of Broughton and Russell Streets to D.D. Salley car sales on the upper end.

The value of the damage to the 16 businesses that were struck over the weekend is estimated to be about $11,400.

That's in addition to the more than $3,000 in damage reported to five businesses shot at last week.

Businesses hit during the latest string include Bridal Boutique, New York Hi Style, Smoak's, CitiTrends, Common Wealth Finance, Right Touch Barber Shop, One to One Ministries, among others.

Karen Hutto said on Sunday she mentioned her store's damage to a friend. That friend told Hutto she was glad her nearby church wasn't a victim as well. Later, the friend discovered her church didn't emerge unscathed, Hutto said.

"I really hope they find somebody, that something will be done," Karen Hutto said. "We just hope they'll bring more attention to the downtown area."

Police say the culprits are using a high-powered BB gun to shoot the windows. Investigators are still attempting to determine why.

The Huttos wonder if the shooters are carrying out a gang initiation or perhaps are testing police response time.

Meantime, they've ordered glass to replace the shattered entrance door. It should be repaired by week's end.

"It's just frustrating," Jack Hutto said. "I'm just glad no one got hit."

Anyone with any information regarding the damaged windows is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC or ODPS at 803-534-2812.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

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