Sumter County deputies need help locating three attempted murder suspects

Sumter County deputies have identified two suspects and are searching for a third in the beating of a man the day before Thanksgiving.

Officials said Jawan Louis Artis, 24, and Howard “Alex” Hodge, 23, are both wanted for attempted murder and armed robbery.

Both Artis and Hodge are alleged to have beaten a man in the 1200 block of Cherryvale Drive the day before Thanksgiving with their hands, feet and a coffee table for an extended period of time, badly wounding the victim. They also allegedly stole $400 from the victim, officials said.

Officials said Artis is described as a black male with brown eyes, standing about 5-foot 7-inches tall and weighs about 132 pounds. He also has a tattoo on the right side of his neck.

Officials said Hodge is described as a white male with gray eyes, standing about 5-foot 7-inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. Hodge has teardrop tattoos under both of his eyes.

Both men are believed to have recently been in the Cherryvale area of Sumter County driving in a light-blue minivan.

Investigators are still working to obtain identification of a third suspect who goes by the name “Gigi” and is described as a black male with dreadlocked hair standing 6-foot tall.

All suspects should be considered armed and dangerous, officials said.

If anyone has information regarding theses suspects’ whereabouts, they are urged to call the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 436-2000, or Crimestoppers at 1 (888)-CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 8:19 AM.