The victim of a shooting at the Sun Up Pub and Grill in Socastee is still fighting for her life, and the man accused of shooting her could soon walk out of jail.
Horry County Police responded to the Sun Up early Sunday morning, around 1:30. According to the police report, Brooke Koluch, 37, and her boyfriend, 35-year-old Travis Lee Taylor, were arguing when he pulled a gun out of his pocket and then shot her. Koluch is a bartender at the Sun Up Pub and Grill. A witness told police, after Taylor shot her, he “calmly walked out of the front door”.
Brooke’s sister Laura Koluch said she underwent four surgeries this week and is currently back on life support. “We’re trying to find justice. And we’re going to protect her and the girls at all costs,” she said. Taylor is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Taylor is being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, but a judge set his bond at $20,000 for the attempted murder charge. When Laura first heard that decision, she was overcome with “disbelief, anger. You have an attempted murder on someone’s life. Somebody’s mother, somebody’s daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece. Absolutely unacceptable in our eyes. That’s not justice.”
In other cases, several people have told News13 they question the bonds given to people suspected of violent crimes. Fifteenth Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Culbertson explained bond decisions come down to whether the suspect is a flight risk or a danger to the community. Yet, Koluch said she’s worried for her sister’s safety, and the safety of the community, should Taylor post bond. “I’ve known what kind of person he is for a long time,” she said. “And we are scared that he’ll do it to somebody else, come back if he gets out on bond.”
Koluch admits she and her sister haven’t spoken much in the last few months because of Brooke’s relationship with Taylor. However, she’s praying Brooke will push through so they can get a fresh start. “We had that day when she was off life support we did get to talk to each other and communicate. Even last night she nodded when I said ‘I’m so happy we’re friends again’. She did nod at me. That’s pretty incredible.”
According to Koluch, doctors say if her sister does survive, she will never make a full physical recovery. Laura said she’s putting her faith in her sister’s will to live. “She’s so stubborn that she’s going to fight through this. This is her last fight. She doesn’t have to fight with Travis anymore. She doesn’t have to fight for her safety, her girls’ safety. She’s only got to fight to come home to Emily and Carmella that’s all she has to do.”
Koluch’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Brooke’s medical expenses and her two daughters. Click here if you would like to support Koluch’s family.
