She was taken to Palmetto Health Richland hospital where she was in critical but stable condition Tuesday after undergoing surgery, he said.

 

 Her son, Clarence Springs, who is associated with the Crips gang, was at home at the time of the 12:30 a.m. shooting, Day said.

 

Springs was with a group who had fought with Dontreese Muller, 18, Monday night, the chief said.

 

Day said two gangs, the Crips and the Bloods, happened upon each other at the complex at 300 Palmetto Park Blvd., about 8:30 p.m.

Police tie shooting of woman to gangs

 

 By LAUREN LEACH

 

 Police say a woman was shot early Tuesday by a gang member who they believe was targeting her son — a member of a rival gang — in retaliation for an earlier assault.

 

 Mona McDaniel, 41, was shot twice in the chest with a 12-gauge shotgun after she heard a noise and looked out her window at Chimney Ridge Apartments, Lexington Police Chief Stace Day said.

Shots were fired, but no one was hit. Muller had a revolver in his possession, but it is not known who fired the shots. He was beaten so badly that he might lose the vision in one eye or the eye itself, the chief said.

 

 Day said Muller’s gang ties are not known.

 

 A few hours later, Frederick M. Geiger, 22, of West Columbia, went to McDaniel’s home and fired at the window, he said.

 

 Geiger, who is affiliated with the Bloods, was charged with assault and battery with intent to kill and is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.

 

 Also arrested were Charles Marcus Cook and Ryan Bethea Gardner, both 17 and residents of the apartment complex where McDaniel and her son live. They were charged with criminal conspiracy, according to booking reports.

 

 Investigators learned they were dealing with gang members because of clothing and pictures in possession of the suspects, Day said.

 

 “These are some pretty hard-core gang (members),” he said.

 

 Lexington is not overrun with gang activity because police are trying to prevent it before it gets to be a problem, said Day who has been with the police department for 16 years.

 

 “We’ve had gang awareness seminars. We’ve acknowledged it.”

 

 Chimney Ridge is normally a quiet place to live, some residents said Tuesday.

 

 George Butler said he has lived there for two years and does not recall an incident like this.

 

 “A thing like this doesn’t happen every day,” he said.