LANCASTER, S.C. — Sixteen people, including five juveniles, have been arrested in connection with multiple shootings, including the death of Jelani Jackson in September.
According to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson was shot to death on Clinton Avenue.
Investigators believed the fatal shooting was gang-related and prompted several subsequent retaliatory shooting incidents by rival gang members.
Those incidents occurred at Palmetto Place Apartments and City Avenue on September 5; Shelton Street, Lynwood Drive, and Oxford Circle on September 7; Foster Heights Drive on September 11; and Converse Street on September 18, according to police.
Deputies said vehicles, houses, and buildings were struck by gunfire in those shootings, and one of the suspects received a gunshot wound to his hand during the Shelton Street incident.
A thorough investigation led to the thirteen suspects being taken into custody or turning themselves in. Five juveniles were also taken into custody, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies said the juveniles who were detained were taken before a Lancaster County Family Court judge and released to the custody of a parent. Their cases will be processed through the family court.
The adult suspects and their charges are listed below:
Symikel Nquett Cauthen, 19
- Criminal conspiracy
- Simple possession of marijuana
Jaciahis Jaquise Elder, 22
- Criminal conspiracy
Kemontae Zikeem Green, 21
- Criminal conspiracy
Cerena Mon’Yae Jackson, 19
- Criminal conspiracy
ZyAirius Qualeek McGriff, 19
- Criminal conspiracy
- Discharging a firearm into a dwelling
- Breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature
Kemeyus Jyshon McIlwain, 22
- Criminal conspiracy
Tkai Martiyaun Perry, 20
- Criminal conspiracy
William Russell Twitty, Jr., 26
- Criminal conspiracy
Eddie David Deonta Yarborough, 18
- Criminal conspiracy
- Possession of a stolen pistol
- Trafficking fentanyl over 28 grams
- Trafficking fentanyl between 4 and 14 grams
- Possession with intent to distribute cocaine
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime
All of the suspects listed above posted bond except Elder, whose bond was set at $70,000.00, and Yarborough, whose bond was denied.
“I give much credit to the investigators of the Violent Crime Task Force,” said Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile. “They dug into a massive amount of information on these shootings and were able to make connections between and among multiple players who were making plans, giving instructions, and carrying out the violence. They presented a workable operations plan and coordinated the logistics with multiple agencies and their personnel. Literally, at the end of the day, the operation concluded with all suspects plus a couple of extras in custody and no injuries to anyone. I can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to all the agencies who helped. Those who continue to commit gun violence in the city and in the county should take notice that no resource will be spared to identify you and put you in jail.”
The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said the additional information is being gathered and reviewed, and more charges could be made.
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