3 held in Berkeley County homicide
Young man remembered as happy, close to his family
By Schuyler Kropf , Nadine Parks
PRINGLETOWN — Jerrell Sanders had a day off from work Monday, his family said, and that may have played a role in his becoming Berkeley County's first homicide of 2009.
Jerrell Sanders
The 22-year-old man, who enjoyed carpentry work with his grandfathers, was found shot to death in this mostly quiet community off S.C. Highway 27. Another man was shot there as well.
Thomas Brown, 24, of Holly Hill, and Quran Johnson, 21, of Eutawville, are charged with murder, assault and battery with intent to kill and armed robbery, said Dan Moon, public information officer for the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. He said Jonathan Guess, 18, of Holly Hill, surrended late Tuesday and faces the same charges.
Moon said the getaway vehicle, a white Mercedes-Benz, was spotted at a home near Eutawville. He said Orangeburg County sheriff's deputies assisted in surrounding the house and arresting Johnson. Brown was arrested at another location in Orangeburg County.
Brandon McFadden, 20, of Ridgeville, was treated Monday night at Trident Medical Center and released, the hospital said. His injury was not life-threatening, Moon said.
Sanders' family said Jerrell had friends in the Pringletown area, about 15 miles from his Cross home, and probably traveled there to visit during his time off Monday, the day the shooting occurred.
Those who knew Sanders said he was an outgoing person who gave up a scholarship offer to play tuba in college because he wanted to stay close to home.
"He was a happy guy. Everybody liked him," said Mack Guice II, band director at Cross High School, where
Sanders was a band member and also liked percussion. He graduated in 2004 and had a scholarship offer, Guice said. "It's just sad."
Family members described Sanders as rooted by his relatives. "He just enjoyed hanging out with family," said Marie Glover, his aunt.
In carpentry, he worked on houses with his grandfathers, she said, mostly in Berkeley and Orangeburg counties. He'd also taken welding classes at Trident Technical College. "It is devastating, but we have the love and support of everyone in the community," she said.
Church pastors and guidance counselors from Cross High have called to offer condolences. Sanders attended Jehovah AME Church in Cross.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551, or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...
This is a very sad story.One day of visiting friends caused this young man his life.We have got to watch the company we keep.
January 14, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ms_lady2u (anonymous) says...
Misery loves company!
January 14, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
westashleyboi (anonymous) says...
Yes, they are on MySpace
Quran Johnson:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus...
Thomas Brown:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus...
Check out page 2 of Thomas's pics where he has the obligatory pose with a gun which he aptly titled "REMEMBER GUNS DONT KILL PEOPLE"
Money, rap, guns, pit bulls, gang signs, its all there.
Apparently these scumbags are self-described "Purple Flag Go Getters"
January 14, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
Execute them so we won't have to feed them forever...
January 14, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
It seems as if this young man was a victim and I wholeheartedly extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and community.
A young man of color who was working towards a career goal and who's only fault was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
January 14, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Satanssybil2007 (anonymous) says...
my deepest sympathies to the family of this obviously extraordinary young man. Are the men who committed this horrific crime locked up in berkeley or orangeburg county?
January 14, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Another waste of human life. Condolences to his family and friends.
January 14, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SpongeMunkie (anonymous) says...
I cannot understand the mentality that its just ok to shoot someone for seemingly minor things. Why do these people even carry guns around anyway? Are we in a war zone? I feel for all of these young men's families. This is just senseless. That young man did not deserve to die like that.
January 14, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
topixfocus (anonymous) says...
Munkie- "Are we in a war zone?" Where have YOU been? Wake up!!!
January 14, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
topixfocus (anonymous) says...
Get ready to read about how the shooters were given a plea agreement by prosecutors because they were too scared to take it to trial. It's coming, it usually does.
January 14, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCPDBLUE (anonymous) says...
My fellow readers WAS I RIGHT,when I stated who the killers were and who was the victim? Any comment NakedYoga? This is just the being of 2009,what till summer. You can be rest assured the numbers will go up and I will be keep tab, of course with facts to back up my claim of WHO is doing the crime and what communities are letting it happen.Untill the next shooting Ta Ta :)
January 14, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SpongeMunkie (anonymous) says...
Where have I been? In a neighborhood and a town where people are not getting shot left and right. Because it seems there are still some civilized people out there who can handle their conflicts without such violence. I feel sorry for you if have to refer to where you live as a warzone.
January 14, 2009 at 7:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
if you think the victim was a good boy and innocent in this you must have voted for obama. he was a thug and drug dealer. come on people get your heads out your butt. he got what he deserved...one leass thug on the street. to bad they didn't kill each other. save the state a lot of money.
January 19, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
isntshelovely (anonymous) says...
Well actually sandnateater, he was a nice person. I actually know him. We graduated from high school together and he was a sweet person. It's just like eyfigueroa said, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I do feel sorry for his family though.
February 1, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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