Hill indicted in DSS shootings

Web posted April 4, 1997

By Kathy Steele
South Carolina Bureau

AIKEN - The man charged with murder in the shooting rampage last year that left three social workers dead was indicted Thursday.

An Aiken County grand jury returned murder indictments against David Mark Hill of North Augusta for the deaths of the Department of Social Services caseworkers at the North Augusta office.

In addition to three counts of murder, Mr. Hill was indicted on three counts of possessing a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and one count each of assault with intent to kill, kidnapping, burglary first degree, and illegally carrying a pistol.

Second Circuit Solicitor Barbara Morgan is out of the office until Monday, and wasn't immediately available for comment.

She has indicated previously that she plans to seek the death penalty, if Mr. Hill is convicted at trial on the murder charges.

He was arrested on Sept. 17, one day after police say he walked unheeded into the North Augusta DSS office, and began firing a semi-automatic handgun.

Police said Mr. Hill was angry that his 4-year-old paraplegic daughter was put into foster care.

Three caseworkers - Josie Curry, Michael Gregory and Jimmy Riddle - were shot to death. A fourth caseworker, Annette Michael, was nearby when the shooting started, and escaped injury by falling to the floor and playing dead.

Mr. Hill, 36, was found the following morning by authorities with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the mouth. While recovering from his wound, Mr. Hill has been held in custody of state correctional officials. He currently is at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, S.C.