CHARLESTON, SC (WCBD / WBTW) – Two people were found fatally shot on the pedestrian walkway of the Ravenel Bridge Thursday evening, and in a Friday press conference, officials identified both people and explained their deaths.
According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, at approximately 8:45 p.m. authorities responded to the scene where two people who suffered self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Coroner Rae Wooten revealed in Friday’s press conference that the names of the two deceased are Charles “C.J.” William Best, Jr., 30, and Lindsey Bedenk, 24.
Police say the incident is not a random shooting. At this point there are no other persons or suspects believed to be involved in this incident.
The two individuals died in what appears to be a “suicide pact,” Chief Carl Ritchie confirms. The two individuals met and became friends while both being treated for mental health issues, adds Chief Ritchie.
Handguns were discovered next to the bodies and after further investigation, officers found suicide letters and videos left by both individuals.
Autopsies were scheduled for Friday morning and more information will be released after the results are obtained.
The northbound lanes of the Ravenel Bridge were shut down Thursday evening. They reopened around 11:00 p.m. Mount Pleasant Police Department reopened the pedestrian walkway around 11:00 p.m. on Thursday night.
The investigation of the scene on the Ravenel Bridge is complete and will not have an impact on the Cooper River Bridge run scheduled for Saturday, April 2.
