Tragic crossfire killing of physician assistant in Sumter, South Carolina highlights the dangers of road rage

A tragic incident occurred in Sumter, South Carolina, where a 59-year-old physician assistant, Blaine Varner, was killed in a shooting while driving on North Purdy Street near Broad Street. The Sumter County Coroner’s Office confirmed Varner’s death from his injuries on Tuesday afternoon.

The Sumter Police Department reported that Varner was caught in the crossfire between two other cars and as a result, he veered off the road. It was revealed that individuals inside the two other vehicles were firing guns at each other, with Varner unintentionally getting caught in the midst of this dangerous situation.

Witnesses Claire Estep and Monica McGraw described the harrowing moment when the shooting occurred right in front of their home, forcing them to seek cover. They heard several shots followed by cars speeding down the road, prompting them to move away from the windows for safety.

According to Varner’s LinkedIn profile, he had been working at Tandem Health since 2011, specializing in mental and behavioral health. Police investigators were back at the scene the following morning to gather additional evidence related to the shooting.