Kids witness assault, Cherryvale suspect crashes after carjacking

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A Cherryvale man faces charges after reportedly pointing a gun at children while assaulting a woman and later stealing a car at gunpoint.

Montez Terrall Drayton, 41, of Cherryvale Drive in Sumter, faces five counts of pointing and presenting firearms at a person, two counts of first-degree assault and battery and one count each of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, carjacking without great bodily harm and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

Drayton is accused of pointing a handgun at three minors and two adults while assaulting an adult female at a residence on Rye Street on July 2, according to warrants. One of the adults and one of the minors tried to intervene while Drayton reportedly threw scalding hot water on the woman and hit her. He then supposedly presented the gun and pointed it at the two who attempted to intervene.

He then reportedly left the area and stole a vehicle at gunpoint. The vehicle was found later wrecked at the bottom of the Manning Avenue bridge, and Drayton was at the scene.

He was treated for injuries and transported to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detention Center, where he remains. His bond is set at $100,000. Bond was denied for the carjacking, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature charges.