Police: Men Charged in Fatal Shooting Connected to Craigslist Sale

CALHOUN COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) – Authorities say three men are behind bars charged in connection with the shooting death of a 22-year-old Bowman man.

Branden Boyd was killed after meeting with three men he met through Craigslist; police say the men met with Boyd at a truck stop off I-26 under the false pretense that they wanted to buy a cell phone, say police.

Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers has announced the arrests of Chavasse Michael Smith, 19, and Hasani Dion Smith, 17, of Cayce and Darian Washington, 20, of Gaston.

Chavasse Smith and Hasani Smith are both charged with murder, attempted armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crimes and receiving stolen goods, say police.

Washington is charged with accessory after the fact to a felony, say police.

“Our investigation has revealed that both Chavasse Smith and Hasani Smith were armed with handguns as well as the deceased victim. While all of the parties involved were negotiating the sale of the cell phone, both suspects and the victim began to shoot at each other, which resulted in the death of Mr. Boyd”, said Sheriff Summers.

Chavasse Smith and Darian Washington are being held in the Orangeburg/Calhoun Regional Detention Center awaiting a Bond Hearing.

Hasani Smith is being treated in a local hospital for a gunshot wound he suffered in the incident, say police.

“This was a senseless act of violence that occurred over the purchase of a cell phone”, said Sheriff Summers. “It appears from what we have learned, that the Smith brothers contacted the victim through Craigslist and met him with the intent to rob him.”