Alex Murdaugh enters rehab, quits law firm after weekend shooting

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – Alex Murdaugh has released his first statement since being shot along a rural road in Hampton County over the weekend.

In that statement, released through his attorney, Dick Harpootlian, Murdaugh said he planned to quit his law firm and enter rehab:

“The murders of my wife and my son have caused an incredibly difficult time in my life. I made a lot of decisions that I really regret. I am resigning from my law firm and entering rehab after a long battle that was exacerbated by these murders. I am immensely sorry for everyone I have hurt, including my family, friends and colleagues. I ask for prayers as I rehabilitate myself and rehabilitate my relationships. “

Neither Murdaugh nor Harpootlian responded to questions about the statement.

The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting on Old Salkehatchie Road, near Varnville. SLED says the Hampton County dispatcher received a 911 call from Murdaugh on Saturday at 1:34 p.m., where he told dispatchers he had been shot.

The Hampton County Sheriff’s Office secured the scene while EMS coordinated Murdaugh’s medical airlift to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga., For treatment of a superficial gunshot wound to the head, said SLED spokesperson Tommy Crosby.

The Hampton County Sheriff’s Office asked SLED to investigate and SLED staff were dispatched to the scene at 2:41 p.m. with regional Lowcountry officers arriving at the scene at 3:40 p.m. and crime scene officers arriving. at the scene at 4:30 p.m., Crosby mentioned.

Murdaugh’s attorney Jim Griffin said he spoke to members of Murdaugh’s family who said he was conscious, alert and speaking, “which is a good sign.” Griffin said Murdaugh was shot in the head while changing a tire. He first said Murdaugh was airlifted to MUSC in Charleston and then later clarified that he was taken to a hospital in Savannah.

No arrests were made in the shooting.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Murdaugh family said, “The Murdaugh family has suffered more than any family could imagine. We expect Alex to collect and ask for your privacy while he recovers.

Saturday’s incident was the latest in a series of tragedies for the Murdaugh family, a well-known family in the Lowcountry.

Murdaugh is the father of 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh; and husband of Margaret Murdaugh, 52; who were found shot dead on their hunting property in the rural community of Colleton County, Islandton on June 7.

SLED confirmed that Alex Murdaugh discovered them after they were shot. The Murdaughs have both been shot multiple times, investigators have confirmed.

The family has strong ties to the 14th Circuit District Attorney’s Office, which serves Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.

Members of the Murdaugh family ran the 14th Circuit prosecutor’s office for about 87 years. When this post became an elected post in 1920, Randolph Murdaugh Sr., Alex Murdaugh’s great-grandfather, became the first man elected to the post. He served until his death in a train wreck in 1940. His son, Randolph Murdaugh Jr., took over the post after his father’s death and served until his retirement in 1987.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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