The fourth suspect in a New Year’s Day drive-by shooting was apprehended on Tuesday, Jan. 14, according to Mark Bordeaux, public relations officer with Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
A family was inside their home on New Year’s Day when occupants of a vehicle discharged firearms into the house, wounding a 15-year-old, according to a news release.
Deputies responded to the scene, and eyewitnesses’ descriptions of the vehicle were shared with law enforcement. While deputies were at the scene, additional deputies searched the area for a vehicle matching the description the witnesses gave. Upon seeing the suspect’s vehicle, deputies initiated a traffic stop using their blue lights.
The driver failed to stop, so deputies activated their sirens. The driver attempted to elude deputies. After a high-speed chase, four subjects exited the vehicle and ran toward Forest Drive with deputies chasing them on foot.
The four occupants of the vehicle included one adult and three juveniles. The adult suspect in the shooting, Jaden Shamont Smith, was arrested after the chase, and deputies detained two juveniles. The fourth suspect, a 16-year-old who was not identified, was detained by deputies Tuesday afternoon.
After a search of the suspect’s vehicle, additional handguns and ammunition were discovered.
The fourth suspect was transported by investigators to the Department of Juvenile Justice, where they are being held.
Sheriff Anthony Dennis described the New Year’s Day shooting as another example of the callous and senseless violence young people are committing against one another.
“These shootings are rarely random, and they are almost always targeting those with whom they have differences. It was a cowardly act to shoot into a home.”
Sheriff Dennis said his office will seek to have this juvenile prosecuted as an adult along with any other juveniles who commit violence.
The investigation is ongoing. Those with information are asked to call (803) 436-2000 or call 911.
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