Shooting victim was 15 years old

The discovery of a body Tuesday morning in the shadows of an overpass in Charleston grew shocking as night approached and authorities announced that the gunshot victim was 15 years old.

Charleston police arrived at the spot, off Huger Street beneath Interstate 26, about 8:10 a.m. after someone called and reported a person lying in a pool of blood. Charleston County EMS responded, but it was too late.

Jermel Tyler Brown, 15, a student at Daniel Jenkins Academy in North Charleston, suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He died Tuesday morning at the scene, Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten said.

Officers wove yellow crime- scene tape around cement pillars as rush-hour traffic thundered overhead.

Investigators whisked a witness away as officers and Wooten combed the crime scene, slowly walking in the shadows among weeds and trash.

Police made no arrests and released no other information.

Brown lived with his mother and siblings on America Street at Cooper River Courts, a public housing complex on Charleston's East Side. By dinner time on Tuesday, most of the complex's tenants had learned of the death. They and Brown's extended family gathered outside in the shade of trees as the sun began to set.

His family said what led the teen to the overpass about a half mile from home was a mystery. His mother was too distraught to talk about her loss.

"He was a well-mannered young fellow," said Brown's uncle, Daniel Simmons. "He loved to play sports and loved his family."

Brown's aunt, Daena Simmons, described her nephew as quiet, loving and sweet spirited.

Daniel Simmons made a plea for someone to come forward with information that will help police solve the case. He said the death, like the slaying of other young men, is senseless.

"They need to stop all of it," he said.

Brown is Charleston's fourth homicide victim of 2009. The city had 14 homicides last year.

Among Brown's survivors are his mother, Priscilla Simmons; and four brothers, including a twin, Jermaine Brown. Palmetto Mortuary of Charleston is handling the arrangements.