New lawsuits say DSS failed to stop attack

Web posted September 17, 1998

By Margaret N. O'Shea
South Carolina Bureau

AIKEN -- The widow of a slain social worker is suing the South Carolina and Aiken County departments of Social Services for failing to protect her husband from an irate gunman, who killed three people in the North Augusta DSS office two years ago.

Unidentified representatives of the agency's Aiken office even told the shooter where he could find James Riddle, according to the lawsuit filed late Tuesday by Margaret Riddle in the Aiken County Court of Common Pleas.

Mr. Riddle was in charge of foster care placement for the children of David Mark Hill, the man police say sprayed the North Augusta DSS office with bullets on Sept. 16, 1996. Mr. Hill faces three counts of murder, three counts of possessing a firearm during commission of a violent crime, assault with intent to kill, kidnapping, first-degree burglary and illegally carrying a pistol.

He faces a possible death penalty if convicted. A circuit judge has ordered people involved with the case not to talk about it.

Mrs. Riddle's lawsuit contends that Mr. Hill went to the Aiken DSS office demanding to see his children's caseworker, and someone -- she doesn't know who -- told him to try the North Augusta office. Mrs. Riddle also contends that Mr. Hill told the Aiken DSS staff that he intended to kill the social worker, but they did nothing to stop him.

They did not call police or warn Mr. Riddle, the lawsuit says, calling that inaction ``willful, deliberate, intentional, grossly negligent and grossly reckless.''

A similar lawsuit was filed late Tuesday by Wanda Gamache, who worked in the North Augusta DSS office when the shootings occurred.

Both women claim the incident hurt them horribly, and they want a jury to put a dollar amount on their damages.

Mrs. Riddle contends that she suffered financial loss, mental shock and trauma, wounded feelings, grief and sorrow, loss of her husband's companionship, and his funeral expenses.

The lawsuit seeks additional compensation for James R. Riddle's ``severe, excruciating and conscious pain and suffering'' from the time he was shot until he died five hours later.

Mr. Riddle, 52, was shot in the head.

Ms. Gamache contends that she has suffered financial loss, including the cost of medical treatment, mental shock and suffering, wounded feelings, grief and sorrow.

She blames DSS for not warning her that her life was in jeopardy.

The two other people who died in the workplace violence that day were caseworkers Josie Curry, 35, and Michael Gregory, 30.

A lawsuit represents only one point of view.