Two men charged with murder of 27-year-old Sumter woman

Photos Courtesy: Sumter PD; On left-Handy, On right-Vereen-Price

SUMTER, SC (May 10, 2029) – According to the Sumter Police Department, two men are charged with murder after shots were fired and a woman was fatally wounded early Saturday.

Officers say they initially responded to a shots-fired call at 2:14 a.m. on Carolina Avenue where a home was struck by gunfire.

Minutes later, officers say they were notified of a woman who was shot and brought to the hospital in a personal vehicle. Twenty-seven-year-old Arieyelle Coulette of Sumter later died at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital.

Officers were then able to determine that both calls were related and began when shots were fired from near a parked vehicle toward another vehicle that was passing. Coulette, who was a passenger, and a nearby home were struck. No other injuries were reported. Information gathered then led officers to the parked vehicle involved and two suspects in Lee County.

Both were later placed in custody by the Sumter Police Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Nineteen-year-old Elijah Handy of Bishopville, and 28-year-old Dorein Antwon Vereen-Price are each charged with murder and were booked at the Sumter County Detention Center.

Additional charges are pending.

Handy also is charged by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on a weapons-related violation.

Sumter officers are working to determine if other individuals are involved, their identities and what circumstances led to gunfire. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sumter Police Department at 803-436-2700. Tips can be provided by calling Sumter Crime Stoppers at 803-436-2718 or submitting the tips form at https://www.p3tips.com.