Friend, cousin of victim arrested on unrelated charges

A cousin and a friend of a 19-year-old man killed in front of a Desmond Avenue home Monday have been arrested on unrelated charges as North Charleston Police continue to try to identify the man's killer.

Authorities say Dionta RaShad Cochran, 19, was gunned down in front of the Forest Hills home near his cousin's white Ford Explorer.

Warrants charge Cochran's cousin, 19-year-old Justin Townsend of North Charleston, with unlawful carrying of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Police also charged Eric Smith of North Charleston with obstruction of justice for hindering and obstructing a criminal investigation. Smith lived at the house at 7680 Desmond Ave., according to Spencer Pryor, public information officer.

Both men are expected to have a bond hearing today.

Pryor said investigators have not identified a suspect in connection with the slaying.

Police responded to the Desmond Avenue home at 11:30 a.m. Monday after a female caller told dispatchers that her cousin, Dionta, was supposed to go to the store, but when she looked out the window she saw he was on the ground with blood everywhere, according to an incident report released Tuesday.

About five to six people were standing in the yard near the body when the first officer arrived at the scene. No one heard a shot or saw a suspect, the report says.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call North Charleston Police at 554-5700 or Crime Stoppers at 554-1111.

Read more details in Wednesday's editions of The Post and Courier.