LANCASTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A homicide in early September was the catalyst for a series of subsequent shootings across Lancaster County, leading to the arrest of 16 people in December, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
On Sept. 4, deputies say Jelani Jackson was the victim of a drive-by shooting on Clinton Avenue in the city of Lancaster, and two people were charged in the incident. Investigators believe this was gang-related and prompted several retaliatory shooting incidents by rival gang members. Four of the 16 suspects arrested were juveniles.
The sheriff’s office believes the incidents occurred at:
- Palmetto Place Apartments and City Avenue, Sept. 5,
- Shelton Street, Lynwood Drive and Oxford Circle, Sept. 7,
- Foster Heights Drive, Sept. 11, and
- Converse Street, Sept. 18.
In those shootings, deputies say vehicles, houses and outbuildings were struck by gunfire, and one of the suspects allegedly received a gunshot wound to his hand during the Shelton Street incident.
In late October, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI announced they were offering a reward for information on these shootings.
Investigators linked 12 males and one female to a conspiracy to carry out these shootings. Conspiracy warrants were obtained on the adults, and Family Court petitions were prepared on the juveniles. On Dec. 19, more than 100 law enforcement officers representing 10 local, state and federal agencies fanned out over the county to serve the warrants and take the suspects into custody.
By later that afternoon, the sheriff’s office says all 13 original suspects had been taken into custody or had turned themselves in. One of the juveniles was not an original target but was wanted for unrelated matters. An adult female was also arrested on an outstanding bench warrant on an unrelated charge.
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Symikel Nquett Cauthen; Criminal Conspiracy -
Jaciahis Jaquise Elder; Criminal Conspiracy -
Kemontae Zikeem Green; Criminal Conspiracy -
Cerena Mon’Yae Jackson; Criminal Conspiracy -
ZyAirius Qualeek McGriff; Criminal Conspiracy, Discharging Firearm into a Dwelling, Breach of Peace of High and Aggravated Nature -
Kemeyus Jyshon McIlwain; Criminal Conspiracy -
Tkai Martiyaun Perry; Criminal Conspiracy -
William Russell Twitty Jr.; Criminal Conspiracy -
Eddie David Deonta Yarborough; Criminal Conspiracy Possession of a Stolen Pistol Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 Grams Trafficking Fentanyl 4-14 Grams Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime (two counts)
Here are the adults suspects arrested from the operation, with their charges:
- Symikel Nquett Cauthen, 19
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Simple Possession of Marijuana
- Jaciahis Jaquise Elder, 22
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Kemontae Zikeem Green, 21
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Cerena Mon’Yae Jackson, 19
- Criminal Conspiracy
- ZyAirius Qualeek McGriff, 19
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Discharging Firearm into a Dwelling
- Breach of Peace of High and Aggravated Nature
- Kemeyus Jyshon McIlwain, 22
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Tkai Martiyaun Perry, 20
- Criminal Conspiracy
- William Russell Twitty Jr., 26
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Eddie David Deonta Yarborough, 18
- Criminal Conspiracy
- Possession of a Stolen Pistol
- Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 Grams
- Trafficking Fentanyl 4-14 Grams
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
- Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime (two counts)
All adults posted bond and were released except Elder, whose bond was set at $70,000, and Yarborough, whose bond was denied.
This is a continuing investigation. More charges against the suspects could be made, and additional suspects could be charged in the conspiracy and the underlying shooting incidents.
“I give much credit to the investigators of the Violent Crime Task Force,” said Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile in a statement. “They dug into a massive amount of information on these shootings and were able to make connections between and among multiple players who were making plans, giving instructions, and carrying out the violence. They presented a workable operations plan and coordinated the logistics with multiple agencies and their personnel. Literally, at the end of the day the operation concluded with all suspects plus a couple of extras in custody and no injuries to anyone. I can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to all the agencies who helped. Those who continue to commit gun violence in the city and in the county should take notice that no resource will be spared to identify you and put you in jail.”
The other local agencies involved include the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, the Lancaster Police Department and the Rock Hill Police Department.
