Legal dynasty heir who was shot while changing a tire quits law firm and enters ...

Legal dynasty heir who was shot while changing a tire quits law firm and enters ...
Legal dynasty heir who was shot while changing a tire quits law firm and enters ...

The heir to a South Carolina legal dynasty who was shot on Saturday on a rural road three months after his wife and son were murdered has announced that he is leaving his law firm and entering rehab.

Alex Murdaugh released a statement through his attorney, Dick Harpootlian.

'The murders of my wife and son have caused an incredibly difficult time in my life,' the statement read.

'I have made a lot of decisions that I truly regret. I'm resigning from my law firm and entering rehab after a long battle that has been exacerbated these murders.

'I am immensely sorry to everyone I've hurt including my family, friends and colleagues.

'I ask for prayers as I rehabilitate myself and my relationships.'

The statement was first reported by WCSC-TV.

DailyMail.com has sought comment from Harpootlian’s office.

Murdaugh, 53, was shot by a gunman in a truck that drove past him as he changed a tire and then made a U-turn.

Authorities have released few details about the incident which comes three months after the still-unsolved double murder of Murdaugh's wife, Maggie, and son Paul. 

He called 911 at around 1:30pm EST Saturday, his lawyer Jim Griffin said on Sunday, after Murdaugh was shot by a passing truck in Hampton County, South Carolina.

Alex, 53, and Margaret Murdaugh, 52, are pictured together. Margaret Murdaugh was murdered three months ago. Her husband, Alex, was shot on Sunday. Few details are yet known about the incident and it is unclear if Alex Murdaugh was the target of the alleged attack

Alex, 53, and Margaret Murdaugh, 52, are pictured together. Margaret Murdaugh was murdered three months ago. Her husband, Alex, was shot on Sunday. Few details are yet known about the incident and it is unclear if Alex Murdaugh was the target of the alleged attack

Alex Murdagh, pictured second from right, was shot on Saturday. His wife Margaret, second from left, and son Paul, furthest left, were found shot dead at the family's hunting lodge in June. Far right is the couple's other son Buster

Alex Murdagh, pictured second from right, was shot on Saturday. His wife Margaret, second from left, and son Paul, furthest left, were found shot dead at the family's hunting lodge in June. Far right is the couple's other son Buster

Pictured: Alex Murdaugh's Mercedes-Benz SUV, which the 53-year-old was changing a tire on when a passenger in a passing truck shot him in the head, causing 'superficial head wounds'

Pictured: Alex Murdaugh's Mercedes-Benz SUV, which the 53-year-old was changing a tire on when a passenger in a passing truck shot him in the head, causing 'superficial head wounds'

Around 45 minutes after making that call, Murdaugh then phoned his brother Randy, and has called his sibling again since being airlifted to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia, for further treatment.

Randy is said to have told Griffin that the truck initially passed by Alex Murdaugh without incident as he changed the tire of his black Mercedes-Benz SUV on Salkehatchie Road. 

But the driver of the truck then turned around and drove toward Murdaugh. Moments later, the gunman inside the truck opened fire, it has been alleged. 

As of Monday, no arrests have been made. 

Murdaugh suffered superficial wounds in Saturday's shooting, with Griffin saying that the contact with his relative - who can't see him in person because of COVID protocols - bodes well for his recovery, according to the Post and Courier

The heir to a powerful South Carolina legal dynasty, whose wife and son were found dead from gunshot wounds in June, managed to call both his brother and 911 despite reportedly being shot in the head by an assailant in a passing truck, causing a 'superficial head wound,' authorities said.  

Griffin spoke after the the Murdaugh family released a statement Saturday evening, saying they have 'suffered through more than any one family can ever imagine.' 

Alex Murdaugh, 53, (pictured) was found suffering from at least one gunshot wound on a rural road in Hampton County, South Carolina, on Saturday

Alex Murdaugh, 53, (pictured) was found suffering from at least one gunshot wound on a rural road in Hampton County, South Carolina, on Saturday

Footage from the scene shows a heavy police presence and the area taped off on the road in Hampton County

Footage from the scene shows a heavy police presence and the area taped off on the road in Hampton County

 Video courtesy of WCIV

The statement added: 'We expect Alex to recover and ask for your privacy while he recovers.' 

Murdaugh's attorney Jim Griffin told the Island Packet the widower had been on his way to Charleston hours before the shooting, but had 'car trouble', and stopped. 

Griffin said Murdaugh was changing the tire on his car along Salkehatchie Road when a truck passed him.

The vehicle turned around and drove back in Murdaugh's direction, with someone shooting at him from the car, he said. 

Griffin said Murdaugh's brother, Randy, told him what had happened. Multiple sources close to the Murdaugh family also told FITS News the injuries were 'not self-inflicted'. 

No suspects have been named and authorities have not released any information other than the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirming it is investigating the shooting of Alex Murdaugh.  

Law enforcement officials previously told WSAV.com Murdaugh was at a property in the 15000 block of the rural road at the time.  

SLED - which is also leading the investigation into Maggie and Paul's deaths - was called out to the scene at 1:30pm EST Saturday to work with the Hampton County Sheriff's Office in their investigation. 

Law enforcement was still on the scene late Saturday. Footage posted by Live5 News shows a heavy police presence and the area taped off. 

SLED spokesman Tommy Crosby confirmed to DailyMail.com the individual shot was Alex Murdaugh but said 'no other details are available' at this time.

DailyMail.com has also reached out to the Hampton County Sheriff's Office for information. 

It is unclear if Murdaugh was targeted in the alleged attack or if it was random.

However, the incident comes almost three months to the day that Murdaugh said he arrived home to find his son Paul, 22, and wife Maggie, 52, shot dead in the grounds outside the family's hunting estate in Islandton, South Carolina.

Three days after Paul and Maggie were found dead, Alex's father, Randolph Murdaugh III, died. He was the third generation to serve as 14th Circuit Solicitor, having held the position from 1985 to 2005. 

Murdaugh's attorney Jim Griffin said he had been on his way to Charleston hours before the shooting, but had suffered 'car trouble', and paused his trip. The scene pictured

Murdaugh's attorney Jim Griffin said he had been on his way to Charleston hours before the shooting, but had suffered 'car trouble', and paused his trip. The scene pictured

Murdaugh was changing the tire on his car along the road when a truck drove by and someone in the vehicle shot him, according to his attorney

Murdaugh was changing the tire on his car along the road when a truck drove by and someone in the vehicle shot him, according to his attorney

Paul, 22, and Maggie, 52,

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