Three men sentenced to 30 years for shooting in mistaken identity case

Lexington Co., SC (WOLO) — Three men from New Jersey will spend the next 30 years in prison after the 11 Circuit Solicitor’s Office says they attempted to retaliate against individuals they thought stole their narcotics. The only problem is, the Solicitor’s Office says they targeted a car full of innocent people.

Attorney’s say 42-year-old Vernon Jenkins, 39-year-old Altariq Cole, and 42-year-old-Dyshawn Hines all from New Jersey were sentenced during a joint trial for their role in an 2023 shooting at the Country Inn and Suites on Piney Grove Road in Columbia.

The 11-th Circuit Solicitor’s Office says the trio surrounded a car parked in the hotel parking lot blocking the car in on both sides before firing at least 10 shots at the car. Attorney’s say one of the individuals inside of the car was struck 5 times. Authorities say everyone inside of the car managed to survive.

All three have been convicted of two counts of attempted murder with no chance of parole.