3 men in custody as Richland County investigates drive-by shootings

Three alleged gang members were taken into custody Friday, October 16, as Richland County authorities investigate a series of drive-by shootings between October 11 and October 13.

While not charged with the shootings, Charlie Kennedy III, 22, Leonard Mickens, 25, and, Jashawn Livingston, 20, face charges ranging from obstruction of justice to tampering with an electronic monitoring device, simple possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a stolen gun.

The three men “may have pertinent information regarding recent shootings,” Sheriff Leon Lott said in a news release.

Lott detailed the attacks on six addresses between 10 p.m. Sunday, October 11, and 10 p.m. Tuesday, October 12.

In each instance, shots were fired from a vehicle at the address. The automobile (of unknown make or model) contained three black males, authorities said. No one was injured but property was damaged.

“When you have suspects blindly shooting into homes anyone inside could have been a target to include innocent children,” the Lott release stated.

The three men being held are no strangers to the criminal justice system. Livingston was on probation for burglary at the time of his arrest. Kennedy and Mickens were supposed to be wearing GPS monitoring devices on their ankles, which they are accused of cutting off.

Anyone with information that can help the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC