Two charged with New Year’s Eve murder after dead man found on Richland County road

Two men have been charged with murder, among many other charges, after a man was discovered shot to death on the side of the road, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Jhordan Clarke, 21, was charged with murder, two counts of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, four counts of possession with intent to distribute flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), unlawful carry of a pistol, driving under suspension, and two counts of manufacturing and distributing cocaine.

Robert Gibson, 36, was charged with murder and possession of marijuana.

The incident occurred on Dec. 31, 2017, when deputies responded to the 5600 block of Coley Road in reference to a man lying in the roadway, according to the sheriff’s department, adding 22-year-old Damarest Dante Jackson was unresponsive in the middle of the road.

The body was found on Coley Road near Pincushion Road, in Columbia. The wooded area is sparsely settled with scattered mobile homes and single-story houses.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts stated that Jackson died as a result of a gunshot wound to the upper body, which occurred sometime in December.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigators were able to determine that Clarke, Gibson, and Jackson were acquaintances, and that this deadly incident occurred over drugs.

Gibson and Clarke have been taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

This story was originally published January 25, 2018 at 4:13 PM with the headline "Two charged with New Year’s Eve murder after dead man found on Richland County road."