On a summer afternoon in Charleston, South Carolina, the life of Anthony Shane Whiddon, a 37-year-old male, was tragically cut short. On August 24, 2017, Whiddon was working as the executive chef at the popular restaurant Virginia's on King when a former employee entered the establishment and fatally shot him. The gunman was identified as Thomas Demetrius Burns, a 53-year-old man who had previously worked at the restaurant as a dishwasher and had been fired from his position.
The
incident began around noon when Burns, armed with a handgun, entered the restaurant. Witnesses reported that he declared 'There's a new boss in town' before shooting Whiddon. After the shooting, Burns held a small number of people hostage, initiating a tense standoff with law enforcement that lasted for approximately three hours. The Charleston police, including a SWAT team, responded to the scene and cordoned off the area. Hostage negotiators were able to communicate with Burns in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Ultimately, law enforcement officers shot Burns, bringing the hostage situation to an end. The remaining hostages were freed without physical injury. Burns was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. He had a lengthy criminal record and a history of mental health issues. Following the shooting, no charges were filed, and there was no trial or conviction as Burns died in December 2017.
