12-year-old trick-or-treater, mistaken for robber, killed

SUMTER, S.C. — An ex-convict who thought he was being robbed gunned down a 12-year-old trick-or-treater, spraying nearly 30 rounds with an assault rifle from inside his home after hearing a knock on the door, police said Saturday.

Quentin Patrick, 22, is accused of killing T.J. Darrisaw, 12, on Friday night. T.J.'s brother Ahmadre Darrisaw, 9, and their father, Freddie Grinnell, were injured but were released after being treated at a hospital.

The family attended a Halloween celebration in downtown Sumter, 45 miles east of Columbia, and stopped at Patrick's house because the porch light was on, police said. Another sibling was with them but wasn't hurt.

Police said at least two of the boys were wearing ghoulish masks when they knocked on the door. The boys' mother and a toddler stayed in the car.

Patrick emptied his AK-47, shooting at least 29 times through his front door, walls and windows after hearing the knock, Police Chief Patty Patterson said.

He told police he had been robbed and shot in the past year.

"He wasn't going to be robbed again, and he wasn't going to be shot again," Patterson said Saturday at a news conference.

She said T.J. suffered multiple wounds, including a fatal shot to his head. No one answered the door at the family's home Saturday.

"This is by far one of the worst tragedies that I have had to personally experience," Patterson said. "It happened basically because kids were out doing what they would normally do on Halloween."

Patrick was charged with murder, three counts of assault and battery with intent to kill, and one count of assault with intent to kill.

Police said they also charged a 19-year-old in his home, Ericka Patrice Pee, with obstruction of justice after she was caught trying to run away after the shooting with $7,500 in cash.

Patterson did not give an explanation for the money.

Pee's daughter, 2, was inside during the shooting and is being cared for by relatives.

Patterson said Patrick had multiple drug convictions but that police do not think he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the shooting.

A man who identified himself as Patrick's brother but declined to give his name said he believed Patrick was suffering from post-traumatic stress after a break-in last December. His account matched the information police provided.

"We want to let his family know that this is a total tragic accident," he said. "He was trying to protect his family."

On Saturday, shattered glass covered the front stoop of Patrick's home and about 20 bullet holes peppered the front door and a front-window casement. A firefighter used a hose to wash bloodstains away.

County Councilman Charles Edens said he passed the crime scene with his 13-year-old daughter.

"I would think twice about going to a door that we don't know who lives behind," he said.