Second suspect in attempted murder arrested, third sought by Richland County Sheriff

A second teenager was arrested Wednesday on multiple charges for his role in an attempted murder, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Javian Lessington, 18, has been charged with attempted murder and carjacking, the sheriff’s department reported.

On Dec. 18, Tony Tyrese Williams, 17, was arrested and charged for his involvement in the same incident. The Columbia teen was charged with two counts of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm (person under 18), and possession of a stolen vehicle, the sheriff’s department said.

The sheriff’s department is asking for the community’s help in identifying and locating a third suspect wanted for attempted murder from the incident. The third suspect, Lessington and Williams were together when they attempted to murder two victims, according to the sheriff’s department.

The incident occurred Dec. 16, when deputies responded to Silver Oak Circle for a shots fired call around 6 a.m. and discovered two men in the road with gunshot wounds to the upper body, the sheriff’s department said.

One of the men is paralyzed from his shoulders down, and the other man remains in critical condition, according to the sheriff’s department.

Williams is accused of stealing the paralyzed man’s car, a blue 2004 Saturn Ion.

On Monday, Columbia Police Department officers stopped the stolen Saturn Ion on W. Beltline Boulevard, and the female driver led officers back her residence on Marlboro Drive where her son (Williams) was located, according to the sheriff’s department.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigators found a handgun in the home; this weapon has been linked through RCSD Firearms Division and DNA lab as a match in the double shooting.

Lessington and Williams were taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Sheriff Leon Lott stated that the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests could be forthcoming.

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Second suspect in attempted murder arrested, third sought by Richland County Sheriff."