Jan. 08--YORK COUNTY -- A woman who deputies found shot Tuesday at a Rock Hill convenience store and the man she was with have been accused of lying about the shooting, police say.
Ashley Higginbotham, 26, of Fort Mill and Jeffery John Russell, 36, of Richburg have been charged with filing a false police report.
Both reported to the York County Sheriff's Office that a woman had shot Higginbotham in the foot, according to a York County Sheriff's Office report. However, after an investigation, both confessed they had been made it up and that Higginbotham had accidentally shot herself, the report states.
In the original incident, deputies received reports of a fight at the Marathon Gas Station on Springdale Road about 8 p.m., according to a report. They found Higginbotham, who had been shot in her foot, sitting on the ground in the gas station. She refused to cooperate with deputies or tell them what happened, the report states.
A witness reported seeing her getting out of a car parked near the store, the report states. The car was damaged on the driver's side, and a blood trail led from the passenger door to where the woman was found. Store video footage showed the man, identified as Russell, pull up the store in the car. Deputies noted he was "very intoxicated," according to the report.
Russell failed several field sobriety tests and an open beer can was also found in his car, the report states. During the investigation, a guitar case and gun were located behind the store.
Higginbotham was treated by EMS on scene and taken to Piedmont Medical Center.
Police also learned Russell was wanted in Lancaster County.
Along with the false police report charges, Russell was charged with driving under the influence, violation of the ABC law, unlawful carrying of a weapon, driving under suspension and open container. He is being held in Moss Justice Center on a $21,177.50.
Higginbotham was not listed in the detention center.
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