LANCASTER, S.C. — A $20,000 reward is being offered in Lancaster County, South Carolina after six shootings within a week.
The shootings started on Sept. 4 with the deadly shooting of 18-year-old Jelani Jackson, who was killed in a drive-by shooting on Clinton Avenue.
Arrests have been made in that case, but law enforcement wants to ensure that no stones are left unturned and anyone else involved in that homicide is identified and charged appropriately," law enforcement said in a released statement on Monday.
Police identified Kenyan Blair, 19, as the suspect in the shooting. He was already in Lancaster police custody for charges of discharging a weapon into a dwelling, malicious injury to property, and breach of peace.
The five shootings that followed have been identified as retaliatory shootings by investigators:
- The next day, shots were fired into homes near Pardue Street and East Arch Street.
- Later that same day, more bullets were fired into homes along City Ave.
- On Sept. 7, one person was injured and several homes were damaged when a shooting occurred overnight near Shelton Street.
- A short time later, no one was injured when a shooting occurred on Cane Mill Rd. and Oxford Circle.
- On Sept. 11, a drive-by shooting involving a Dodge Charger occurred on Foster Heights Dr. No one was injured.
“This violence will likely continue until those responsible are apprehended and brought to justice,” Bennie Mims, the special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said in a released statement. “ATF and our federal and local law enforcement partners are committed to stopping this chain of violence and finding those responsible for the death of Jelani Jackson.”
The ATF, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and Lancaster Police Department are jointly cooperating on this investigation.
“Folks expect to be safe in their homes,” Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile said. “This indiscriminate shooting damages property and hurts and kills people including those who have nothing to do with the disputes among the shooters. It must stop, and we’re using all available resources both locally and from our federal partners to solve these shootings and put those behind them in jail.”
“Addressing violence in our community is a priority for the Lancaster Police Department,” Don Roper, the Lancaster chief of police, said. "We hope this reward being offered by ATF and FBI will bring forward people with information that will help us solve these violent acts.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477). Tips can also be emailed or sent on the ATF's website