Sumter mayor expresses concern about recent shootings, urges community to share information

“Our city has been deeply affected by recent acts of gun violence that have claimed the lives of too many” is how Sumter Mayor David Merchant started a written statement to the community.

His heartfelt words were published via the City of Sumter's Facebook page on the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 20, after the fatal shootings that occurred during the previous weekend.

Sumter Police Department released information on two unrelated fatal shootings that occurred within hours of each other early Sunday.

 At about 4:30 a.m., officers responded to the Sleep Inn hotel on Broad Street where two men, 20-year-old Saquan Logan and 19-year-old Demari Spann, were found dead on scene, according to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the police department, and Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker.

An investigation is ongoing, and Sumter Police Department is working to identify suspects involved in the shooting. A reward of up to $5,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sumter Police Department immediately at (803) 436-2700. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-CRIME-SC, online at p3tips.com or using the P3 Tips app for mobile devices.

Nearly two hours later at about 6:30 a.m., officers arrived on scene to a Putter Drive residence, where they found Jasmine Woods, 23, inside along with Antoin Pugh, 34, who was lying on the floor with an apparent gunshot wound. Pugh was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, where he died, Baker said. Woods was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, McGirt said. She is being held at Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center after being denied bond.

In his statement, Merchant expressed how it is “disheartening” that the city has found itself facing similar incidents to those in June. Within three weeks during June, there were four reported shootings - two of which occurred a day apart - that claimed the lives of four individuals and injured one. Merchant held a special community meeting inviting community stakeholders for a conversation on how to address and eradicate the violence that surged in the city in June.

“The story remains the same: young people in our community are resorting to gun violence to resolve disagreements and conflicts,” the statement continued. “These tragedies are both unacceptable and preventable. We remain committed to ensuring that those responsible for these senseless acts are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Merchant went on to thank public safety officials for their hard work in protecting and serving the community before urging the community to lend a hand.

However, [public safety officials] cannot succeed without your help. If you have any information about those involved in these crimes, please come forward.”

Merchant asked the community to join him and his family in prayer for the families affected by recent shootings and continue to support youth as well as law enforcement to “bring an end to this senseless violence.”

“Together, we can overcome these challenges and build a safer, stronger Sumter,” he wrote.