UPDATED: Third Suspect Arrested In T&S Drive Murder In Aiken County

***2:50 p.m. Update August 27***

Additional Suspect Arrested In T&S Mobile Home Park Homicide

Aiken, S.C. August 27, 2009—According to Sgt. Dave Myers, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) has arrested an additional Aiken, S.C. suspect who was involved in the August 12, 2009 shooting at T&S Mobile Home Park, located in Aiken, SC. James Collins, 16, was killed in the shooting.

Sammie Leon Smith, 33, of the 200 block of Wadley Drive, in Aiken, is charged with Assault/Assault with Intent to Kill (AWIK), and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun. Akia Jordan, 17, and Maurice Council, 18, have already been arrested and charged in Collins’ death.

In an ongoing homicide investigation that occurred at T&S Mobile Home Park, (ACSO) investigators learned though witnesses, that Sammie Leon Smith initiated the shooting by pointing and discharging a pistol at one of the victims.

Mr. Smith was arrested, transported to the Aiken County Detention Center where bond was posted and Mr. Smith was released.

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***11:10 a.m. Update August 17***

Aiken, SC—According to Capt. Troy Elwell, Akia Jordan, 17, of Ridgecrest Road, in Aiken, surrendered to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday.

Jordan has been charged with Murder, Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill, Simple Assault and Battery and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime.

the charges stem from the shooting death of 16-year-old James Collins on T&S Drive, last week.

Jordan is currently being held at the Aiken County Detention Center.

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5:00 p.m. Update August 13***

Aiken County, SC—It’s happening far too often for Emma Miles.

Emma Miles, T&S Mobile Home Park resident: “It’s just sad, it’s just sad.“

In the last two years, there have been three murders at T&S Mobile Home Park, where Miles lives.

Back in May, 57-year-old John Anthony was on his porch when dozens of shots were fired from a passing car. A stray bullet struck and killed him. It happened again, Wednesday night.

Miles: “We heard a bunch of screaming, and when we came out the door, they told me the young man was laying right there…and he was asking for help.“

Aiken County investigators say that young man was 16-year-old James Collins, who was later pronounced dead.

Investigators say Collins and 33-year-old Sammie Smith got into an argument with to other men, outside this home, on T&S Drive. Shots were fired…Smith was injured and Collins was killed.

18-year-old Maurice Council, and 17-year-old Aikia Jordan have been charged with his death.

Neighbors at T&S Mobile Home Parksay there’s too much death in this community, and they’re asking for a greater police presence.

Capt. Troy Elwell, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office: This is not the first call to T&S Mobile Home Park, as everyone knows. There are issues, but that being said, as we said last time, we need the community’s help to help stop these issues. When deputies arrived on the scene, Wednesday night, there were 100 people on the scene. Within moments, there were two or three people. The community does not want to seem to help as much as they can. Which we need their help, we keep begging for their help.“

Miles says help is already too late for three families in this neighborhood…

Miles: “For the last year and a half, two years, it’s just been getting rougher and rougher. If I could get up and move next week, I would. Yes, I would.”

Sammie Smith is listed in stable condition.

Jordan and Council are considered armed and dangerous.

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***4:30 p.m. Update August 13***

The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a second suspect in last nights shooting on T&S Drive. Akia Jordan, 17, of Ridgecrest Road, in Aiken, will be charged with Murder, Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime x 2. Jordan should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on Akia Jordan’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office: (800) 922-9709. Individuals also should call Crimestoppers of the Midlands: (888) 559-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.

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***2:45 p.m. Update August 13***

According to Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton, 16-year-old James Collins, of Aiken, SC was pronounced dead at Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Wednesday evening, at 10:23 p.m.

Mr. Collins was apparently involved in a verbal altercation that ended with his being shot multiple times. An autopsy was performed Thursday, in Newberry, SC and revealed that he died from exsanguination (bled to death) due to the wounds he had incurred.

This death is to be ruled a homocide.

The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the criminal circumstances.

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Aiken, SC—According to Captain Troy Elwell, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) is currently looking for a suspect in a deadly shooting.

Capt. Elwell says Aiken County deputies responded to 93 T & S Drive, in Aiken, SC Wednesday night, around 09:30 p.m., for a shooting. Once on the scene, deputies found one adult and one juvenile victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

Sammie Smith, 33, Wadley Drive, Aiken was shot multiple times and transported to the Medical College of Georgia and was listed in stable condition, Thursday morning.

The juvenile victim was transported to Aiken Regional Medical Centers, where he was pronounced dead.

ACSO is currently looking for Maurice Lamont Council, 18, of Carriage Hills Place, in Aiken. Council should be considered armed and dangerous.

This is the third homicide in this area in the last year.

Anyone with information on Maurice Lamont Council’s whereabouts is asked to contact Investigator the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office: (800) 922-9709. Individuals also should call Crime Stoppers of the Midlands: (888) 559-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.