2 patrons, 6 security staff face charges in connection to non-fatal shooting at Sumter club

Four people were injured in a fight-turned-shooting at a local club on March 10, and police have arrested eight so far in connection to the incident.

Two club patrons and six individuals hired to provide security at Backyard Bar & Grill, at 330 Rast St., are charged in connection to a fight-turned-shooting that left four people injured.

According to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for Sumter Police Department, the Rast Street venue has been the source of multiple calls for police response over the past few years, the most recent incident on March 10. Officers responded to a fight call at 6 p.m. when they learned of possible gunfire. An ongoing investigation indicates a disagreement or fight involving individuals attending a brunch and music performance began inside the club. As the scuffle continued, the crowd moved outside into the venue’s parking lot where shots were fired, McGirt said.

Three victims ­­–– a 29-year-old Columbia woman, a 26-year-old Bethune woman and a 21-year-old Sumter man –– suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital by private vehicle. Another victim, a 31-year-old Columbia woman, fell during the chaos and was run over by a vehicle leaving the parking lot; she was later transferred to a Columbia hospital.

All victims were treated for their injuries and have since been released, McGirt said.

After containing the scene, officers recovered multiple shell casings from both hand and long guns found outside the business. According to McGirt, the following eight people face charges:

• 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 indicated Lucas and at least two other people fired shots outside the club, McGirt said.
• Aaliyah I. Blanding, 27, of Spaulding Avenue, 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, owner of Cerberus Security & Protection in Sumter, turned himself in Tuesday.
• Steven Bethea, 32, of Barton Street, who acted 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; he turned himself in Monday night.
• 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 also acted as a security guard and is not licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. He turned himself in Monday night.
• Zachary Sebastian Geddings, 20, of Osteen Lane, is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. He also acted as a security guard and is not licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. He turned himself in Monday.
• Julius Armonte Rasheem Ellerbe, 24, of Barton Street, is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. He also acted 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 faces felony charges. Ellerbe turned himself in  Tuesday morning, March 19.
• James Lewis Love, 51, of Frisco Branch Road, is charged with obstruction of justice. Love is a co-owner of Cerberus Security & Protection. Love was placed in custody Monday at his home.

All eight individuals were booked at Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detention Center. More arrests are expected as officers continue to investigate and identify those involved.

Sumter Police Department filed a petition in November 2023 with South Carolina Department of Revenue to have the club’s alcohol license revoked. Further hearings to consider revocation are pending, McGirt said.

Anyone who saw or heard anything that day or night or may have information to assist officers is asked to call the police department at (803) 436-2700 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.