Aiken Man Charged with Shooting Teen at Whiskey Road Walmart

An Aiken man is in custody, charged with shooting a 14-year-old girl in Walmart on Whiskey Road in Aiken last night.

In social media posts, family members have identified the victim as Ashton Rickard.  Investigators say Ashton was shot in the arm, then the bullet traveled to her abdomen.  She underwent one surgery last night and has at least one more scheduled for later today.

According to the incident report from the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the suspect has been identified as 32-year-old Stephen Foreman of Aiken.  Moments after authorities were dispatched to Walmart at 7:30 pm,  Foreman called police and told them he was at KFC nearby.  Police responded and took Foreman into custody there.  Foreman admitted to officers that he had discarded the gun he used on a shelf in Walmart.  "Sgt. Rice located a black Colt 1911 in the cards section on the bottom shelf while searching for the firearm used in the crime," according to the report.

A .45 caliber shell casing was found in the store.

Foreman is in the Aiken County Detention Center charged with Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime.

Investigators say there is no known relationship between the victim and Foreman.  There is also no known motive at the time.  The investigation remains active and ongoing.