ORANGEBURG, S.C. — A new suspect has been named in the shooting that killed a Benedict College student and left a Claflin University student wounded.
Police now believe believe 19 year-old Tyler Jamal Givens is the person who fired the fatal shot that killed 20-year-old Donovan Smalls at a house party earlier this month.
"Today we would like to announce that we have warrants on an individual that we believe is actually the person that fired the shots that killed Mr. Smalls the student from Columbia and wounded the young lady from here in Orangeburg," said Captain Mike Adams with the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety.
Authorities say Givens, along with three other friends, attended a party on Summers Avenue on the morning of April 14th. They say the party got out of hand. Warrants say 20-year-old Amber Green fired her gun, and that led to a chain reaction where others pulled out their weapons and fired. One of those shots hit and killed Smalls.
A female student at Claflin University was also hit in the chest by a bullet, but she recovered and is out of the hospital.
Police say new video shows Givens getting out of the front passenger seat of a vehicle with three other individuals on the day of party. They're now asking for the public's help in locating the 19 year-old.
Police have not yet released a motive or relationship between her and the victims. But Adams has this message for the victim's family.
"The person's responsible for Mr. Smalls death, we're going to pursue them as long as we need to do and we're resolved to do that," Adams stated.
Police say the investigation is on going. They say if you see Givens do not approach him but call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information in the case should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.