Blythewood Online 691

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  • Dog attacks Greenbrier woman, 71

    GREENBRIER – A Fairfield County man has been issued a ticket for $1,087.50 for breaking a county ordinance three weeks after a dog he owned attacked a woman walking in the 4300 block of Greenbrier-Mossydale Road, according to a Fairfield County Sheriff’s incident report.

    The incident occurred about 8:30 a.m., Sunday, July 28.

    After deputies arrived on scene, a 71-year-old woman told them a dog had come out of a yard near where she was walking down Greenbrier-Mossydale Road and began attacking her. The deputy’s report states that the woman had “multiple bites and lacerations over her body.”

    The woman was transported to a medical facility in Winnsboro for treatment.

    Deputies located the dog, a female Pit Bull along with a male Pit Bull and two puppies at a home near where the attack occurred.

    A second report, provided by Fairfield County Animal Control, stated that the two adult dogs were seized.

    According to the report, it was unclear at the time whether the dogs were owned by the man who lived at the home or by his son.

    On Aug. 9, after the investigation was completed, deputies determined that the son, Rashad Evans, 24, of Ridgeway was responsible for the dogs, according to the report. Evans was issued a ticket for breaking a county animal ordinance, Running at Large, in the amount of $1,087.50.

    According to County Ordinance 535, Article III, Sec. 4-56 (b), Whenever any domestic animals shall be found upon the lands of any other person than the owner or manager of such animals, the owner of such trespassing stock shall be liable for any damages sustained.

    State law Sec. 47-7-130 states that …the owner of such trespassing stock shall be liable for all damages sustained and for the expenses of seizure and maintenance.

    In response to an FOI request from The Voice to the Fairfield County Animal Shelter for documents pertaining to the seizure of the two dogs, Fairfield County Public Information Officer Gene Stephens said the two dogs were released to the owner after 10 days in the shelter.

    An email from Animal Shelter Director Joanne Shaw states that, “Boarding fee for quarantined animals is $10 per day for 10 days plus $10 for a rabies vaccine after the 10-day hold per DHEC. Both dogs were brought in for the quarantine period with a total payment of $220 which was paid by the owner.”

  • Penny Tax Referendum postponed

    Richland County has postponed the 2024 Transportation Penny Referendum Town Hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26, at Doko Manor due to inclement weather possibilities created by Hurricane Helene.

    The meeting is rescheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3, at a location to be determined.

    The Voice will provide that information when it is available.

  • Child, teen seriously wounded by gunfire in Winnsboro

    en were gunned down and left with serious injuries Friday night in the former Walmart parking lot in Winnsboro.

    The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept 20, adjacent to the Planet Vape in the parking lot in the 700 block of U. S. Hwy 321 By-Pass.

    As two cousins – a boy, 12, and a girl, 16 – were walking with family members to a car in the parking lot following the Fairfield Central High School’s Homecoming game across the street, individuals behind the Planet Vape shop opened fire, hitting the young cousins, according to officials.

    “The kids were not the target,” said Interim Winnsboro Public Safety Department (WDPS) Police Chief Patrick Clemons. “There was definitely one group shooting at someone. We feel we know who the intended victim was, but we haven’t nailed down the names of the shooters who hit the two children.

    “The teen girl was shot in the face. She underwent surgery Monday and will require reconstructive surgery,” Clemons said. “The 12-year-old boy was struck in the arm and leg and is expected to make a full recovery.”

    Both remain hospitalized, Clemons said.

    According to Clemons, immediately after the children were hit, an adult family member of the victims drove them directly to MUSC Fairfield where Fairfield County EMS picked them up and transported them to Prisma Hospital in Richland County. 

    In the meantime, Fairfield County Sheriff’s deputies, who had been working security at the FCHS football game, heard several gunshots coming from the direction of Bojangles, which borders the Walmart parking lot. Deputies responded, but according to Clemons, the children had already been driven to the hospital and were no longer at the scene when the deputies arrived.

    Upon arrival, the deputies reported seeing blood and shell casings in the parking lot near Planet Vape.

    While deputies were on scene, a caller reported three males walking around behind apartment building No. 4 of the Deerwood Apartments – which are next to the Walmart parking lot – armed with pistols and yelling at bystanders.

    Clemons said it is not conclusive whether the three males were involved in the shooting incident.

    The deputies relocated to the Deerwood Apartments where multiple individuals were at the entrance to the apartments.  As several individuals in an SUV appeared to be trying to leave quickly, a female occupant stated to deputies that an individual had made a threat about possibly starting another shooting incident, a Fairfield County Sheriff’s incident report stated.

    Ruff

    According to the report, a male, identified as Jeremiah Marquees Ruff, 20, who matched the description provided by the female occupant of the SUV, was walking away from the group at the entrance when deputies approached him and advised him that because of his match to the description, they were going to check him for weapons. They subsequently discovered a handgun sticking out of his waistband, according to the report.

    When deputies attempted to detain Ruff, he resisted and assaulted one of the officers, prompting them to place him under arrest and transport him to the Fairfield County Detention Center, according to the report.

    “We’re still trying to determine whether the two incidents – the one in the Walmart parking lot and the one behind Deerwood Apartments – are related,” Clemons stated.

    “The biggest problem with people out there shooting guns is that they shoot randomly and hit innocent bystanders who are minding their own business,” Clemons said.

    While the Fairfield County Sheriff’s department was first on the scene, the incidents are being investigated by the WDPS. The department asks anyone with information to call 803-635-4511.

    This story will be updated as more information is available.

  • Jamel Lewis sentenced for firearm possession

    COLUMBIA – Jamel Lamont Lewis, 35, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

    According to the United States Attorney’s office, evidence presented to the court showed that in December 2020, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call of gunshots in the Ridgeway area of Fairfield County.

    As deputies approached, Lewis and another man were firing shots. Deputies found 90 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition in Lewis’s pants pocket along with a quantity of crack cocaine.

    Lewis, whose address was in Winnsboro at the time, was charged with Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by person convicted of violent felony, and two counts of Distribution of cocaine base.

    In July 2021, investigators with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department stopped a car that Lewis was riding in. During the stop, Lewis had to be restrained after he reached for a loaded .22 caliber pistol hidden in his waistband. Lewis also had approximately 65 grams of methamphetamine on him.  The pistol was equipped with a large-capacity ammunition magazine.

    Former Fairfield County Arrests

    In 2007 and 2009, Lewis was convicted of aggravated assault for shooting two different victims. In 2011, Lewis was convicted of assault and battery, first degree, after being involved in a drive-by shooting. He was residing in Ridgeway at the time of the arrests.

    In 2018 while living in Winnsboro, Lewis was convicted of failure to stop for a blue light and unlawful possession of a firearm after leading police on a vehicle chase and ultimately losing control of the vehicle and tossing a firearm while fleeing on foot.

    Sentencing

    Lewis is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to previous felony convictions.

    United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Lewis to 85 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

     This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

  • Two men found dead on Koon Store Road

    COLUMBIA – Richland County Coroner has identified two men who were shot to death near Blythewood over the weekend.

    The shooting victims were identified as Corey Johns, 40, of Lexington and Jibaris Veal, 37, of Columbia.

    Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of Koon Store Road at about 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, in response to a reported shooting. The location is off Wilson Blvd., just outside Blythewood 29016.

    The two men were discovered inside a 2008 Jeep Liberty which was located at the rear of the property, according to the incident report. Deputies report that the jeep was partially inside a shed, and that the men were found slouched over inside the vehicle and appeared to be deceased.

    The shooting is being investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

    The Sheriff asks anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

    Deputies have not yet said what led to the shooting or if there are any suspects.

  • BMS AP named an Emerging Leader

    COLUMBIA – Last week, Blythewood Middle School sixth grade assistant principal Brandon Reeder was named to  an elite list of educators in the Emerging Leaders Class of 2024-2025 by the South Carolina ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development).  

    Brandon Reeder

    The SC Emerging Leader Program is comprised of educators who desire to become more involved in our state’s educational community. Emerging Leaders are enthusiastic and committed to the “Whole Child,” a belief that every child in the state deserves to be healthy, safe, supported, challenged, and engaged.

    Reeder is a native of Blythewood and a proud product of the Richland Two. He has experience as a math teacher, teacher leader, and assistant administrator. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Level Education from Winthrop University. Reeder holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration from USC where he is pursuing a doctoral degree in the Educational Practice and Innovation program. 

    “I am a firm believer in the power of WE,” Reeder said, ” committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure all students can succeed.”

  • Community stunned by death of Blythewood High School student

    BLYTHEWOOD – A Blythewood High School student passed away Saturday morning, according to BHS Principal Matt Sherman.

    According to Sherman, the male student died of natural causes.

    “We are devastated,” Sherman said. ”We’ve been in touch with the family, and we have informed the Blythewood High School family.

    “He was a junior, a very good athlete and an excellent student,” Sherman said. “He was a wonderful young man, trusted and really loved by all. This is truly a loss for our school family and for the community.”

    Sherman said the school will have support in place for students when school reopens on Tuesday, and that the District will release a statement shortly.

    “We are deeply saddened,” BHS football tweeted Saturday evening. “His talent, dedication, & bright spirit made an impact on all… Keep our community in prayer.”

    The coroner’s report is expected to be issued on Sunday.

    More information will be posted as it becomes available.

  • Geiger charged with murder of Tyon Byrd

    Geiger

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY –Sheriff Will Montgomery announces the arrest of a suspect for a murder that occurred in July 2023.

    Marshawn Devon Geiger, who is currently incarcerated in the SC Department of Corrections for unrelated charges, was formally arrested on August 19, 2024 for the murder of Tyon D. Byrd.

    On July 1, 2023, Byrd was attending a birthday party at a residence on Peach Road in the Greenbrier area of Fairfield County when a firearm was discharged into a crowd of people. Byrd was struck by gunfire and died as a result of the gunshot wound. Two other persons were struck by gunfire also and suffered non-life threatening injuries.

    Investigators have continued to follow leads related to this case since the incident date. Investigators were able to identify Geiger as a suspect and, subsequently, they were able to charge Geiger in this incident.

    In addition to the Murder charge, Geiger was also charged with 2 counts of Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime. Geiger will be brought before a Fairfield County judge at a later date.

    Sheriff Montgomery: “We want to express our deepest sorrow to the families and friends of Tyon Byrd and the two other victims. This was a senseless tragedy and we know that these families have been hurting,” Sheriff Montgomery said. “We are glad to have been able to make an arrest in this investigation. Without the community partnerships that we have, and are so proud of, making headway in investigations such as this would be much more difficult.”

  • One charged in shooting at Killian Rd. Kroger

    Carnegie

    COLUMBIA – Lateef Karim Carnegie, 50, was arrested for the shooting that occurred at the Kroger grocery store on Killian Road on Sunday, Aug. 18.

    On Sunday afternoon, Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to Kroger in reference to a shooting incident.

    Upon arrival, deputies quickly detained the suspect and secured the scene. Deputies determined that the shooting had occurred in the parking lot during an altercation between two individuals. There were no injuries or victims reported.

    Carnegie was arrested without incident and taken to the Alvis S. Glenn Detention Center.

    Carnegie is charged with attempted murder, use of a firearm while under the influence and breach of peace aggravated in nature.

  • Armyworm infestation hits Blythewood & Fairfield

    Armyworms can be found feeding during early mornings and late afternoons. | Bert McCarty

    BLYTHEWOOD/FAIRFIELD COUNTY – As the armyworm infestation is reportedly moving rapidly across the state, Kenny Mullis, who manages a number of farm pastures in Blythewood and Fairfield County, says the infestation in this area is worse than he’s seen in years.

    “They come in cycles, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen them this bad around here,” Mullis said. “I was out of town at a conference and had so many calls from my customers saying they had armyworms in their fields that I came on back yesterday.”

    Armyworms can be easily identified in larval stages by the inverted “Y” shape on their heads. | Adam Gor

    Jackie Jordon, the Clemson Extension Urban Horticulture Agent who covers Fairfield and Richland Counties, said the worms could be worse right now because of all the moisture we’ve had recently.

    “These armyworms are looking for a lot of nitrogen in their diet, so they’re looking for crops that have a lot of nitrogen in them, especially in the newest leaves,” she said. “So they’ll eat the blades of grass – particularly the turf grasses. They tend to go after Bermuda lawns, but they like all warm-climate turf grasses. And they eat a lot.

    “But the big concern in these rural areas right now is with the pastures,” she said. “Because they’re eating so much of the grass in pastures – especially coastal Bermuda – it could really damage the hay crops. Right now, they’re taking off another cutting of hay. And we don’t have a whole lot of time left for our coastal Bermuda to grow because it’s getting cooler soon. The infestation can be bad for the pastures, and it also could also cause an increase in the price of hay.”

    “They like tall fescue in pastures. There’s not a whole lot of tall fescue in Blythewood, but there’s a lot more further north in Winnsboro and Fairfield County,” Jordan said.

    “These worms are very visible in the mornings. They move across a lawn in a wave,” she said. “They eat the leaves of the grass almost to the roots, and the lawn begins to turn brown. They usually eat the newest grass leaves.

    “The first generation of these worms usually come in mid- to late July. It takes them about 30 days to enter their life cycle,” Jordan said. “So we usually don’t see them until late August. Then you start seeing damage, and we have them till about the end of October.”

    Jordan said yards and pastures can be treated for armyworms, and that some of the treatments, such as Bt insecticide, are organic and affect only the worm, not other animals.

    For information about treating armyworms in the lawn or in livestock pastures, go to https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/armyworms/ for a list of pesticides including organic treatment.

    Armyworms feed on turfgrass foliage, causing it to have the appearance of suffering from drought or scalping damage. | Bert McCarty