News Summary
Two men have been arrested in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, following a shooting that left an 18-year-old female passenger critically injured. The shooting reportedly stemmed from a suspected road rage altercation. The alleged shooter, Herman Clayton Burdette Jr., faces charges of attempted murder, while his accomplice, Randy Palazzola, is charged as an accessory after the fact. The victim, who was shot in the face, is currently recovering but faces a long healing process. Local law enforcement is addressing the rise in road rage incidents within the community.
Fountain Inn, South Carolina – Two men have been arrested following a shooting incident on Monday night that left an 18-year-old female passenger seriously injured. The incident, which police believe occurred during a suspected road rage altercation, took place around 9:45 p.m. on North Main Street.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire and discovered the teenager suffering from a gunshot wound to her face. She was immediately transported to a local emergency room for urgent medical attention. While the nature of her injuries was initially unclear, authorities later revealed that the bullet entered her jaw via her right cheek.
According to an arrest warrant, 27-year-old Herman Clayton Burdette Jr. was identified as the shooter who allegedly fired multiple rounds into the vehicle where the teenager was a passenger. Investigators were able to apprehend Burdette and his accomplice, 24-year-old Randy Palazzola, shortly after the shooting incident.
In a lead-up to the arrests, it was found that one of the suspects confessed to hiding the firearm used in the crime—a .45-caliber pistol—inside a boat they were towing at the time of the incident. Burdette has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, while Palazzola faces charges as an accessory after the fact. Both suspects were taken into custody at the Greenville County jail, where they have been denied bond.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting indicate that it stemmed from a road rage encounter between the suspect’s vehicle and that of the teenager. Palazzola was a passenger in the vehicle with Burdette during the incident, and it was noted that he did not attempt to intervene or alert law enforcement afterward.
Burdette’s criminal history includes multiple traffic violations, indicating a troubling pattern of reckless behavior behind the wheel. Local residents have expressed widespread shock and concern regarding the rise of road rage incidents in Fountain Inn, a community that has been experiencing significant growth.
The victim’s family has reported that she is recovering, but they anticipate a prolonged healing process ahead due to the severity of her injuries. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with aggressive driving behaviors, highlighting the need for increased awareness and intervention.
Fountain Inn is located approximately 25 minutes southeast of Greenville, South Carolina, and is drawing attention as law enforcement and community members discuss the concerning trend of road rage within the city.
As this case continues to develop, authorities remain focused on ensuring justice is served while the victim begins her long recovery.
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Additional Resources
- WBTV News
- Wikipedia: Road Rage
- Fox Carolina
- Google Search: Road Rage Incident South Carolina
- WYFF News 4
- Google Scholar: Road Rage Shooting
- WSPA News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Rage
- Fox Carolina
- Google News: Teenager Shot Road Rage
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
