Sumter police think multiple shootings, including one fatal, could be related

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that could assist Sumter police officers in identifying and arresting those involved in the shooting death of a 54-year-old man on Tuesday and four other shootings throughout the week.

Marcus Brown was killed when he was struck by bullets that were fired as a small, gray four-door vehicle passed by him as he sat in his car outside a house on South Salem Street about 10:15 p.m. He was pronounced dead at Palmetto Health Tuomey later that night.

Detectives now think shots fired at a house on Silver Street earlier Tuesday night, the drive-by shooting of Brown and three subsequent shootings Thursday night, all in the same area, are connected, said Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for Sumter Police Department.

Investigators think the shootings are part of an ongoing dispute between two groups of individuals, she said.

Officers have determined Brown was neither involved in the dispute nor connected to criminal activity, McGirt said.

Police continue to look for Kalvin Dontavious Epps, 21, of West Oakland Avenue, who they think has information related to the shooting incidents on Tuesday night.

Anyone with information about Kalvin Epps’ location or the shooting incidents are asked to call the department at (803) 436-2700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted electronically to Crime Stoppers by going to www.P3tips.com and clicking on the “Submit a New Tip” tab or by downloading the P3 Tips app for Apple and Android devices.