Damien Lavar Ritter, 28, of Estill, was convicted last week of murder, kidnapping and armed robbery, the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office announced.

A Lexington County jury found Ritter guilty for the execution-style murders of Samir Atkins, 26, a cousin, and Elzie Mack, 41.

The jury also returned convictions of Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, and Armed Robbery.

The trial began on Monday, June 21 with jury selection. The Honorable Frank R. Addy, Jr., presided over the trial and sentenced Ritter to 2 life sentences in the South Carolina Department of Corrections on the murder charges, 30 years on the attempted murder and kidnapping charges, and 10 years on the armed robbery charge. Ritter will spend the rest of his natural life in prison and will not be eligible for parole.

Solicitor Rick Hubbard stated, “Both of these men were executed with single gunshot wounds to the back of the head. On July 5, 2018, Ritter traveled to West Columbia from his home in Estill in Hampton County.

Ritter arrived at Samir’s apartment on Glenn Street in West Columbia. A surviving victim testified during the trial that after Ritter and Samir entered the kitchen, he heard a single gunshot. The surviving victim was then ordered at gunpoint to the kitchen and placed face down on the ground next to Samir’s body.

Ritter and his unknown accomplices rummaged through the apartment. During this time, Samir’s friend, Elzie Mack, arrived at the apartment. Elzie was also ordered to the ground in the kitchen near Samir’s lifeless body. The surviving victim testified at trial that he heard a man’s voice saying, “I’m getting down, I’m getting down” and then a second gunshot. He saw Ritter with the gun in his hand, pointing the gun at him, and pulling the trigger. The gun clicked but didn’t fire. The surviving victim grabbed Ritter and was able to escape from the apartment. During the struggle, the surviving victim was shot as well.

During the investigation, the surviving victim was able to give law enforcement a detailed description of Ritter to include the clothes he was wearing and the vehicle he was driving. After identifying Ritter, law enforcement learned that a burgundy Chevy Tahoe was registered to Ritter. The surviving victim was presented with a photograph lineup and immediately identified Ritter as the shooter. The investigation revealed that Ritter eventually traveled back to Estill after committing these homicides prior to leaving the state.

Ritter eventually turned himself in to law enforcement on July 13, 2018. Ritter’s vehicle has never been recovered and no other arrests have been made in this case.

When 1st responders arrived on scene, Elzie was still breathing. He was declared brain dead the following day and ultimately passed away after his organs were harvested for transplanting.