UPDATE: 2 in custody after fatal shooting on East Charlotte Avenue

Two men are in custody in connection to the fatal shooting of Leroy Bradford on Monday, Aug. 24. 

According to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for Sumter Police Department, warrants were issued on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for Devontae Shykeem Bailey, 28, of Sumter, after he was identified by police as the driver of the vehicle involved in the fatal shooting. 

McGirt said Thursday morning that Bailey was placed in custody in Columbia on charges unrelated to Monday's shooting on East Charlotte Avenue and that he is expected to be returned to Sumter to face local charges upon his release from the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The shooting occurred about 11:45 a.m. on Monday. Officers responded to East Charlotte Avenue in the Anne Park community and found a victim injured in the road.

The victim, identified as Leroy Rashawn Bradford, 24, of Sumter, later died at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital from his injuries, according to Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker. 

Soon after officers arrived, a vehicle matching the one involved in the shooting was spotted by officers. It crashed into a pole on Andrena Drive and two occupants inside got out and ran, McGirt said. 

Malik Thomas, 19, of Sumter, who was the passenger, was soon located and taken into custody. He is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, McGirt said. He remains in custody at Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. 

Efforts to determine what led to the shooting are underway. 

Anyone with information or might have seen or heard something at about the time of the shooting and/or the crash is asked to contact the police department at (803) 436-2700. 

Tips can be provided by calling Sumter Crime Stoppers at (803) 436-2718 or submitting tips to www.p3tips.com or the P3 Tips app.