One shot, another stabbed during prayer services at Rock Hill mosque

ROCK HILL, S.C. (WBTV) - A suspect wheedling a knife stabbed a man at a mosque before police say he was shot by an armed guard.

This happened at the Islamic Center of South Carolina near downtown Rock Hill. That suspect, according to investigators, took off before being chased down by local authorities.

“It is kind of surprising and kind of scary too,” said Muhammad Khanani.

Muhammad Khanani is one of the founding board members here at the Islamic Center of South Carolina. He was here when the unthinkable happened.

“We had a guy out here with a knife that was wheedling it,” Khanani told us.

Rock Hill police said 27-year-old Travaughn West was inside the mosque shortly after prayer services wrapped up Friday afternoon. Worshippers say he was waiting for a forty-four-year-old man to make his way out to the lobby. All the while holding a four-inch blade in his hand. That’s when officials say West lunged at the man - stabbing him.

“He stabbed the other brother twice,” Khanani explained.

That’s when an armed security guard came towards the commotion. Investigators tell WBTV’s Ron Lee West continued to act aggressively toward others standing in the lobby. That’s when the guard pulled his gun - and fired.

“The guy waved his knife at the guy who drew the firearm. He fired one shot hitting him.” Khanani recounted.

Khanani says West bolted towards the bathroom before coming back out and running down the street. People inside were able to flag down a passing patrol car who quickly went after the suspect.

“The officer turned his car around and went chasing him down that way. Another unit showed up and he was arrested.” he said.

He was caught about a block away. Both men are expected to be OK. West is being charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature as well as being in possession of a knife during a crime of violence. A crime people who live nearby can’t believe happened.

“You hear it all over the world, but this is close to home so it’ really mind-blowing to me.” neighbor Warren Moffit said.

At this point, police haven’t speculated on why the suspect would have gone down this path and taken this course of action.

“Anytime you see something like this…you just got to be careful.” Khanani told WBTV.

Worshippers say their faith dictates forgiveness, and even though what happened at the mosque was a nightmare, that’s exactly what they’re going to try to do.

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