2 in custody after shots fired at Sumter Burger King

Two men are in custody after a shots-fired call at a local Burger King stemmed from an alleged drug transaction-turned-attempted robbery.

According to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for Sumter Police Department, an exchange of gunfire after 9:45 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, in the Burger King parking lot on Calhoun Street stemmed from an intended drug transaction between two men. One man reportedly tried to rob the other and shots were fired, McGirt said.

Authur Jamaal Reimbeau, 24, of Spartanburg, was struck during the gunfire and ran a short distance from the scene where he was found injured, McGirt said. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment and released on Tuesday then taken into police custody. No other injuries were reported, and at least one vehicle was struck by gunfire.

Eyan Ernest Nathaniel, 23, of Rolling Creek Drive, drove away from the scene, was found a short time later and taken into police custody.

According to McGirt, Reimbeau is charged with discharging a firearm into a vehicle, attempted murder, illegal possession of marijuana, possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and armed robbery. Nathaniel is charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent possession with intent to distribute marijuana, trafficking of marijuana and felon in possession of a firearm, McGirt said.

After Nathaniel’s arrest, officers searched a Reed Street residence tied to him and found 18 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of $36,000 and nearly $17,000 in cash, McGirt said.

Both men were denied bond and are being held at Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.

An investigation is ongoing.