Multiple people charged following fight that led to shooting at Sumter bar and grill, 4 people injured

SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO)– Multiple people have been charged following a fight that led to a shooting where 4 people were injured last week, say Sumter police.

According to the Sumter Police Department, two patrons and six people of the company hired to provide security at the Backyard Bar & Grill are charged for crimes stemming from a fight and shooting last week that left four people injured.

On March 10, officers say they were on the way to the bar & grill to respond to a call about a fight when they learned about possible gunfire around 6 p.m.

An investigation into the shooting indicates that a disagreement or fight involving individuals attending a brunch and music performance began inside the establishment.

Then people started to go outside where shots were fired, says law enforcement.

Three victims, a 29-year-old woman from Columbia, a 26-year-old woman from Bethune and a 21-year-old man from Sumter all suffered gunshot wounds and were taken by private vehicles to Prisma Health Tuomey.

Another victim, a 31-year-old woman from Columbia fell and was run over by a car that was leaving the parking lot. She was later taken to a Columbia hospital.

All of the victims were treated for their injuries and have since been released.

Investigators say at the scene they found multiple shell casings from both hand and long guns outside of the business.

So far eight people were booked at the Sumter County Detention Center and are facing charges: 

Myzariah Lucas, 22, of Gable, is charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a gun on premises where alcohol is sold and aggravated breach of peace. Information gathered in the investigation indicates Lucas and at least two other people fired shots outside of the club.

Aaliyah I. Blanding, 27, of Spaulding Ave., is charged with aggravated breach of peace and possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold.

Kevin Bethea, 35, of Jade Tree Lane, Hopkins, is charged with obstruction of justice. Bethea turned himself in to the police.

Steven Bethea, 32, of Barton Street, who was acting as a security guard and is not licensed through the State Law Enforcement Division, is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. Bethea turned himself into police custody on Monday night.

Keion Shakel Dicks, 22, of Council Street, is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was acting as a security guard and is not licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. Dicks turned himself in on Monday night.

Zachary Sebastian Geddings, 20, of Osteen Lane, is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. He was acting as a security guard and is not licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. Geddings turned himself in on Monday.

Julius Armonte Rasheem Ellerbe, 24, of Barton St., is charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. He was acting as a security guard and is not currently licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. Ellerbe’s security license was revoked in 2023 after an unrelated incident in Florence County where he is facing felony charges. Ellerbe turned himself in this morning.

James Lewis Love, 51, of Frisco Branch Road, is charged with obstruction of justice. Love was placed in custody on Monday at his home.

Investigators do expect more arrest to be made as officers continue to work on the case.

The Sumter Police Department continues to ask that anyone who saw or heard anything that day/night or might have other information that can assist in the ongoing investigation to call Sumter PD at 803-436-2700 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Jail photos, as well as images of individuals and a vehicle the department is
working to identify,