Suspect in Oct. 9 shooting charged with murder after victim dies
A Sumter man who was shot after an argument with an acquaintance earlier this month has died of his injuries, according to the Sumter County coroner, with the suspect still at large and now facing a more severe charge.
Suspect Tas'Je Spann, 19, is now facing a murder charge, according to Adrienne Sarvis, public information officer for the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
"Spann is now facing a murder charge after the victim died Wednesday night," Sarvis said. "We ask that anyone who knows of Spann's whereabouts calls law enforcement."
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to Spann's arrest.
Coroner Robbie Baker said the 33-year-old victim, Richard Martin Jr. of West Patricia Drive, died Wednesday at Prisma Health Richland. He was reportedly injured about 12:19 a.m. on Oct. 9 at 13 W. Patricia Drive and taken to the Richland hospital. Martin's family has been notified of his death, and Baker said an autopsy will be performed on Friday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
Sumter law enforcement asked the public Wednesday night for information on the whereabouts of Spann. A Sumter County Sheriff's Office preliminary investigation determined the two knew each other, and the victim was critically injured after a dispute with the suspect.
If you have information about Spann's whereabouts, call 911, the sheriff's office at (803) 436-2000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous.
Information can also be submitted anonymously by going to www.p3tips.com.