Teen injured in drive-by shooting at SC home on New Year’s Day. Deputies are investigating

South Carolina deputies are investigating a shooting as attempted murder after a teenager was wounded on New Year’s Day.

According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, dispatch received a 911 call around 3 p.m. Wednesday reporting a shooting at a home on East Red Bay Road in Sumter.

Deputies found a 15-year-old who had been wounded in a drive-by shooting and had non-life-threatening injuries. The teen was taken by ambulance to Prisma Tuomey Hospital.

Witnesses at the scene described the car involved as a blue sedan, and said there were several suspects dressed in black on a nearby street who werre shooting in the direction of the residence, according to officials.

Around 5 p.m., while investigators were still at the scene collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, the sheriff’s Community Action Team saw a blue Hyundai Elantra matching the description given by witnesses. Officials said that deputies learned the car had been stolen and located it at McCrays Mill Road near Stadium Road, then made a traffic stop.

The driver did not stop, and after a high-speed chase with deputies, four occupants left the car and ran toward Forest Drive with deputies chasing them on foot. Three of the four were apprehended by deputies and an officer with the Sumter Police Department.

The fourth is still being sought.

Two of the suspects were juveniles, the sheriff’s office said. The third was identified as 22-year-old Jaden Shamont Smith of Sumter. Smith was found to be in possession of a handgun, ammunition and marijuana. A search of the vehicle found more handguns and ammunition.

Smith was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen pistol, officials said. He was taken to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.

Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said there is an ongoing investigation.

The Sumter sheriff asks anyone with information to call 803-436-2000. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by going to www.p3tips.com or downloading the P3 mobile app. A reward may be available.

Alexa Jurado

The State

Alexa Jurado is a news reporter for The State covering Lexington County and Richland County schools. She previously wrote about the University of South Carolina and contributes to this coverage. A Chicago suburbs native, Alexa graduated from Marquette University and previously wrote for publications in Illinois and Wisconsin. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Milwaukee Press Club and the South Carolina Press Association.