Bond Denied For Teen Charged with Manslaughter in Sumter Shooting

SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO) – A teen who was charged Friday with manslaughter for the shooting death of another teen in Sumter Thursday evening has been denied bond.

Magistrate Judge B. Keith Griffin did not set bond for Rhythm Sharmell Portee,17, of Rembert, at a hearing Saturday morning in Sumter.

Authorities said because of the seriousness of the charge, Portee will be held in the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center until he can appear before a circuit court judge, sometime in March of this year.

Authorities say according to witnesses Portee and  Kyre Bethea, 19, of Sumter were playing  some kind of game when the weapon discharged.

Bethea was struck in the chest.

The incident occurred just before 7 p.m. on Somerest Drive, in the Windsor City mobile home park.

Portee fled the scene; authorities say they determined the gun used in the incident was stolen during a recent car break-in. Portee has been charged with manslaughter in this case.

Portee was already out on bond for a December shooting incident, where he was charged with attempted murder.

The victim in that case is recovering.