2 arrested in Elgin after ‘shots-fired’ call; drugs, guns seized

Two Elgin residents were arrested by officers responding to a “shots-fired” call and are charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, according to a Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Jamie Dean Simon 23, and Josie Darnell Bennett, 21, lived on Owl Lane in Elgin, the release said.

Just before midnight Saturday, Kershaw County 911 dispatch received a call that shots were being fired near Walking Horse Lane in Elgin. The responding deputy was met by Simon, who told him a man wearing a hockey mask had pulled a gun on him. Simon said he pulled out his own gun and began shooting at the unidentified man, who jumped into a car driven by someone else, who drove away.

While deputies searched the area, they observed bullet holes in at least one vehicle. One deputy saw four large bags containing marijuana lying on the rear floorboard of a vehicle parked next to Simon and Bennett’s residence, according to the release.

Narcotics investigators were called to the scene, obtained a search warrant and found another half pound of marijuana in the residence. Deputies also located shell casings from .40-caliber, .45-caliber and 9mm pistols. Seized along with the marijuana were two handguns and ammunition.

Simon and Bennett were taken to the Kershaw County Detention Center. Simon is being charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana (third offense) and Bennett is being charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana (first offense).

Simon has been previously arrested on narcotics charges, traffic offenses to include driving under suspension, failure to stop for a blue light and receiving stolen goods.

Bennett has no prior arrest record.

“This was an apparent armed robbery of a drug dealer with multiple shots being fired by both the robber and the drug dealer. Fortunately no innocent bystanders were shot,” Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews said in the release. “We are continuing to investigate this shooting, but are hampered by a lack of cooperation.”

Bennett and Simon have posted bond and been released from jail, the news release said.