Suspects sought in killing

Charleston police are hunting for suspects in the slaying of a 29-year-old man who was shot to death early Saturday on Athens Court.

Eric Jenkins of North Charleston was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound at 3:14 a.m., Charleston County Deputy Coroner Brittney Wofford said.

Police received a call at 2:59 a.m. about shots fired in the area of Athens Court and North Romney Street, police public information officer Charles Francis said. Officers found Jenkins wounded, he said.

Jenkins had been arrested two years ago in connection with a May 2007 double slaying on North Nassau Street. Shamell Smalls, 23, and friend Michael Harding, 27, had watched a boxing match at Satchmo's club at Isabella and North Nassau streets and were ambushed after they left the club.

Jenkins was one of two suspects charged in the case. Police dropped the charges against the other suspect shortly afterward, and the charges against Jenkins were dropped in July 2008.

Following the 2007 double homicide, Mayor Joe Riley called it a tragedy and said it underscores the need for the Legislature to reform the criminal justice system.

"We must have strong penalties that keep behind bars those who think they can bring a culture of lawlessness into our community," Riley said at the time.

Jenkins had convictions for unlawful carrying of a weapon in 1998, distributing crack cocaine in 2003 and distributing crack cocaine in 2005, his state record shows.

Police released no other details of his killing Saturday, saying only that investigators were still gathering information and trying to identify suspects.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.