Columbia man sentenced to 30 years for 2013 killing | The State

A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his involvement in the shooting death of 51-year-old Robert Jewell in September 2013.

Dequan Vereen, of Columbia, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter before the Honorable Judge Robert Hood Tuesday. Vereen was initially charged with murder in connection with the incident, according to court records.

On Sept. 19, 2013, Vereen and another man were seeking Jewell throughout the day and finally located him at the Food Fare on Hunt Club Road near Decker Boulevard. An altercation between the men took place, and as Jewell attempted to drive away, he was attacked by both men and eventually shot by Vereen, who fled the scene.

Jewell was able to exit his vehicle, but was pronounced dead by EMS workers upon their arrival.

Vereen also pleaded guilty to armed robbery and attempted murder for his role in a November 2012 incident at the Corner Pantry in Forest Drive. In that case, Vereen and several other men, all of whom were armed and masked, robbed the store of both cash and lottery tickets. The store clerk then shot Vereen, who was identified as a suspect in the incident after he arrived at a local hospital to receive treatment.