COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott on Monday identified one of three teen suspects in a weekend shooting in the Carriage Oaks area. Deputies say it all started when a teenager stole a truck from a convenience store.
“Life can change for everybody in a matter of minutes,” Christopher Javis, a former Spring Valley resident and a parent said.
He says the first thing he does when he gets out of his car is lock it.
“Cause you just never know. I’ve been in the big cities and its always somebody lurking around for the opportunity to steal a vehicle,” he said.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said people need to know. If you shoot a gun at deputies they are trained to fire back.
In a news briefing on Tuesday, Lott said a 15-year-old stole a car at a convenience store in Lexington Saturday night and the car had a gun inside. The teen then picked up a 16-year-old and 19-year-old Javonte Sutton.
“Left the keys in their vehicle, left it unlocked, and left a gun in it,” Lott said.
He said Sunday a Richland County deputy saw the car and tried to pull them over. But the teenager kept driving and led officers on a chase, the stolen car crashed into a stop sign around Oak Manor in Carriage Oaks in Northeast Columbia.
“We apprehend the 15-year-old with the police dog. We apprehend the 19-year-old with the police dog. The 16-year-old had jumped a fence and as Cody Sox approached him he pulls a gun out and he does to point it at our deputy and he fires at him,” Sheriff Lott said.
Sheriff Lott says it was the gun that was inside the stolen car. He said this series of events was preventable.
“You’re vehicle is not a holster don’t leave your gun in it I’ve said it a thousand times. And don’t leave your keys in your vehicle,” he said.
Sheriff Lott said the 16-year-old is still in the hospital, he is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, pointing and presenting a gun, unlawful carry, and possession of a gun under 18. The other teens were released from the hospital after being treated for dog bites. Both of those teens are being at Alvin S Glenn Detention Center, the 15-year-old is in the juvenile wing. The 19-year-old is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The 15-year-old is charged with failure to stop for blue lights and sirens and possession of a stolen vehicle.