Teen wanted for murdering baby, mother in Midlands-area gang shooting, SC cops say
A teenager is wanted for murdering a South Carolina woman and her baby in a shooting that was called gang related, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office said.
A search is underway for Thomas Anthony Henderson, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday in a news release.
The 18-year-old from Beech Island is considered armed and dangerous, according to the release.
Henderson is facing murder charges following the shooting deaths of Mel’lisha Jackson and her 1-year-old son, Elijah Jackson, the sheriff’s office said.
On Dec. 17, law enforcement responded to calls after 11 p.m. about a shooting on Kalmia Apartment Drive, Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said in a news release. That is about 60 miles southwest of Columbia.
Responding deputies found the 26-year-old Graniteville woman laying on the floor and unresponsive. She died at the scene after suffering at least one gunshot wound, Ables said.
The baby was also shot at least once and was taken to a hospital in Augusta, where he died, the coroner’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said the shooting was “gang related,” but Jackson and her baby “were not the intended targets.”
Three men fled the area before deputies arrived, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office described them as “black males,” each between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-11 in height.
After asking the community for help with information, tips along with evidence and leads prompted investigators to issue arrest warrants for Henderson, the sheriff’s department said.
More charges are possible.
Information on any other suspects was not available.
Anyone with information on Henderson’s whereabouts or about the shooting is asked to call 911, the sheriff’s office at 803-648-6811, or report it to CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published December 24, 2019 at 10:10 AM.
