SUMTER, S.C. — More arrests have been made and more are pending in the March 10 shooting incident that left four people injured outside of a bar in Sumter, South Carolina.
Sumter Police say that, since earlier arrests of eight people on March 19 in connection with the shooting at Backyard Bar & Grill, two other suspects have been arrested and one suspect turned himself in early Tuesday, April 30. So far, a total of 13 suspects have been arrested and Sumter Police have warrants out for two more in connection to the shooting.
The latest suspects taken into custody are:
- Lamont Albert Antoine Watson, 49, of North Purdy Street, was booked March 23 and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a weapon on premises where alcoholic beverages are sold.
- Kelvin Leslie Shanone Kennedy, 32, of Mayesville, is charged with hit and run involving minor personal injury. He was booked March 26.
- Jamario Green, 18, of West Patricia Drive, turned himself in on possession of a weapon on premises where alcoholic beverages are sold and aggravated breach of peace charges on April 30.
Warrants have been issued for:
- Darius Funchess-McClam, 22, of South Sumter Street, is wanted on a possession of a weapon by a convicted felon charge.
- Myers Prince, 34, of Brand Street, is wanted on possession of a weapon on premises where alcoholic beverages are sold and aggravated breach of peace charges.
Previously arrested are:
- Myzariah Lucas, 22, of Gable, is charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a gun on premises where alcohol is sold and aggravated breach of peace. Information gathered in the investigation indicates Lucas and at least two other people fired shots outside of the club.
- Aaliyah I. Blanding, 27, of Spaulding Ave., is charged with aggravated breach of peace and possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold.
- Kevin Bethea, 35, of Jade Tree Lane, Hopkins, is charged with obstruction of justice. Bethea is an owner of Cerberus Security & Protection in Sumter.
- Steven Bethea, 32, of Barton Street, who was acting as a security guard and is not licensed through the State Law Enforcement Division, is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold.
- Keion Shakel Dicks, 22, of Council Street, is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was acting as a security guard and is not licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division.
- Zachary Sebastian Geddings, 20, of Osteen Lane, is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. He was acting as a security guard and is not licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division.
- Julius Armonte Rasheem Ellerbe, 24, of Barton St., is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. He was acting as a security guard and is not currently licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. Ellerbe’s security license was revoked in 2023 after an unrelated incident in Florence County where he is facing felony charges.
- James Lewis Love, 51, of Frisco Branch Road, is charged with obstruction of justice. Love is a co-owner of Cerberus Security & Protection.
According to Sumter Police, Backyard Bar & Grill, formerly at 330 Rast St. near Sumter Mall, was a source of multiple calls for police response over the past few years.
On March 10, police responded to a call around 6 p.m. about a fight at the bar that possibly involved gunfire. Allegedly, a fight broke out inside the bar and then spilled out into the parking lot where shots were fired. Three victims were hit by gunfire -- a 29-year-old female from Columbia, a 26-year-old female from Bethune, and a 21-year-old male from Sumter -- and a 31-year-old woman fell and was run over by a car leaving the scene. All were treated at a local hospital and released.
Backyard Bar & Grill has since closed its doors.
The investigation continues and Sumter Police ask that anyone who saw or heard anything that day or night -- or might have other information that can assist in the ongoing investigation -- to call Sumter PD at 803-436-2700 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.