4 suspects at large after Sumter armed robbery, 1 victim shot

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is searching for four suspects in connection to a shooting incident Thursday on West Patricia Drive.

On the night of Oct. 13, multiple individuals lured two victims to meet at a residence along West Patricia Drive related to prostitution and drugs, according to Maj. Randall Stewart of the sheriff’s office. After the victims arrived and drugs and sex were offered, three armed men robbed the victims at gunpoint, he said.

Cash and cellular phones were taken, and when one victim refused to allow them to take his vehicle, shots were fired. One of the victims was struck multiple times in the face, abdomen and leg; the victim is currently in critical condition, according to Stewart.

Through assistance from the community and victim identification, the sheriff’s office identified six suspects. Two suspects, Tahjae Franklin, 17, and a 16-year-old female were taken into custody.

Four suspects are still at large but have been named: Diamond Briana Miller, 18, Cryshaun Nermoe McKenzie, 17, Semieon Zaire Helton-Hill, 18, and Jacquante Taymont Montgomery, 22.

Multiple drive-by shooting incidents have occurred in the West Patricia Drive and surrounding area in the last few months, Stewart said. Several arrests have been made including a juvenile related to the residence and the incident address, which has been used for previous crimes, is currently abandoned.

Sheriff Anthony Dennis urged the suspects to contact law enforcement and turn themselves in.

Stewart shared that the sheriff’s office will maintain patrol presence in these high crime areas and encouraged the public to continue to share information “to help remove dangerous suspects from the streets.”