SUMTER, SC (WBTW) – A stabbing victim was airlifted to a Columbia hospital Friday morning after an incident at a chicken processing plant in Sumter turned violent.
Public Information Officer Ken Bell with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office says detectives are currently investigating a stabbing that took place about 7:45 a.m. Friday at Pilgrim’s Pride, a chicken processing plant, located at 2050 US. 15 south of Sumter.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the incident began when two workers were fired for allegedly smelling of alcohol at work, Bell reports.
About 7:45 a.m. someone from the plant called for EMS to respond to a stabbing incident. Deputies also responded and found a female victim with serious stab wounds, Bell says. The victim was airlifted to Columbia’s Palmetto Richland Hospital, but her condition is unknown at this time.
Following the stabbing, Pilgrim’s Pride sent everyone working on that particular line home. Deputies are now trying to interview all of the witnesses who were dismissed from work, more than a dozen people, according to Bell. It could take deputies several hours to locate and question everyone.
A female who was possibly involved is being interviewed by investigators. No charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation is ongoing.