KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — Kershaw County deputies have arrested three suspects in the shooting of a 17-year-old over the weekend and now say they no longer believe the crime was a case of road rage.
Officers say they've charged 22-year-old Tory Eugene Keitt, Jr, 21-year-old Ti 'Yon Akeem Harriot, and 18-year-old Deshon Jakeef Kirkland with murder. Officers say more arrests are possible.
According to the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, the shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning on U.S. 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) near Watts Hill Road northeast of Elgin.
Originally, officers said road rage may have been to blame. But in a statement on Monday, investigators say it was a targeted shooting but that the 17-year-old victim was not who the suspects were trying to hurt.
According to Chief Deputy Tyrell Coleman, arriving deputies found a white Dodge Dart with three people of unspecified ages in it, and two of them were shot. The male victim died at the scene. A female victim was taken to an area emergency room with a gunshot wound to the leg.
Coroner David West confirmed to News19 that the victim in the case was a 17-year-old from the Cassatt area who is also a student of North Central High School. However, his office is not releasing the victim's name because he was a minor.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office at 803-425-1512 or 803-424-4000. Tipsters can also email tips to investigations@kershaw.sc.gov or submit a tip to CrimeStoppers online or at 1-888-CRIME-SC.