Shooting death suspect captured

Spann

By JOE PERRY
Item Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

DALZELL — A Lee County man wanted for the April 7 shooting death of a Bishopville man was captured Saturday afternoon in Dalzell, said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

James Keion Spann, 25, of 6487 St. Charles Road, was brought into custody about 1:30 p.m. on Cannery Road, and offered no resistance, Dennis said.

"We received a tip he was in possession of a stolen vehicle and when officers arrived, they found him and the vehicle," he explained. "We're glad to help out Lee County when we can."

Lee County authorities said Spann kicked in the door of a Stackley Circle trailer just after midnight to confront Lindsay Lovely, 21, who was dating his ex-girlfriend. Lee County Sheriff's Office Maj. Daniel Simon said the motive appeared be jealousy.

Spann apparently knocked on the door of the trailer as Lovely's mother, Mary Ann, stood nearby. She told authorities she heard a gun cock and yelled out to warn family members, then ran to the other end of the trailer to check on her other son, who is disabled. Spann then kicked the door in and began firing his gun.

Lovely was shot at least four times and Spann left the scene in a blue sedan.

Simon said Spann will be charged with murder, first degree burglary, and a probation violation warrant will also be served.

"We talked to him but he requested a lawyer," he said, noting that Spann will have a first appearance before a judge today to have his rights explained, but a Circuit Court judge will have to set bond. Circuit Court's next session is slated for the last week of May.

"We've been running for this guy ever since April 7," he said, relieved. "Sumter County has bent over backwards helping us out."

A report shows a 37-year-old Rembert man was giving a ride early Saturday to a man is his late teens or early 20s named Keith, and when the man went into the Young's on North Main Street about 6:40 a.m., Keith took off in the 1995 Chevrolet Lumina. The vehicle was recovered as deputies searched for Spann on Cannery Road.

Spann spent his time between Lee and Sumter counties, and Simon cited the teamwork of the Sumter Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, the State Law Enforcement Division and his office in bringing about Spann's capture.

"Our hats off to them," he added.



Contact Staff Writer Joe Perry at jperry@theitem.com or (803) 774-1272.