Gaston shooter arrested in Charlotte

A West Columbia man wanted for shooting a Gaston man is in custody.

Thanks to a Crimestoppers tip, members of a US Marshals Service task force took Jamel Lamont Higgs into custody at a Charlotte apartment complex Dec. 11.

Lexington County deputies enlisted the help of US Marshals and State Law Enforcement Division agents for the suspect who has 3 arrest warrants related to a shooting earlier this month.

Higgs, 33, was wanted on charges of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and possession of a weapon by a person convicted of a violent felony, according to warrants.

“Based on the information detectives have gathered during their investigation, Higgs shot a man multiple times Dec. 3 after an argument in a Gaston mobile home park,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.

Repeat offender gets 6 1/2 years

Justice Towan Roundtree, 27, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Federal law prohibits Roundtree from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for strong armed robbery and burglary 2nd degree.

At the time of the current offense, Roundtree was on state probation.

Roundtree is a validated member of a street gang.

Senior United States District Judge Cameron Mc-Gowan Currie of Columbia imposed the sentence.

There is no parole in the federal system.

Police search for assault suspect

A Winnsboro man turned himself into police Monday after an assault on a Lexington woman.

Calvin Marquies Simpson, 38, was wanted for 2 counts of assault & battery - 3rd degree.

On Dec. 12, officers were dispatched to the Victorian Lakes MHC, located at 4801 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington, for an assault that had just occurred.

Officers spoke with a female victim who had been struck multiple times in the head and face, sustaining multiple lacerations including a cut to her lip. Officers also observed bruising on the victim’s face from a previous assault incident that had occurred Dec. 3.

The victim was transported from the scene to the hospital by ambulance.

Simpson was given a surety bond of $2,175 with the restrictions of not having any contact with the victim or to be in possession of a firearm.

Thanksgiving burglar recaptured

Lexington County deputies caught a suspect who escaped from deputies on Thanksgiving Day, the Sheriff’s Department reported by twitter late Thursday evening.

Tyrese Dashawn Johnson was taken into custody near a home in Gilbert Dec. 12.

He was arrested on multiple burglary charges on Thanksgiving on Sandpit Road in Leesville, according to a tweet.

Johnson is facing charges related to a Nov. 26 burglary on Fairview Road in Lees-ville and his escape from custody Nov. 28.

Charges include possession of tools used in a crime, 2nd degree burglary, criminal conspiracy, safecracking and unlawful escape.

3 dead in apartment shooting

3 people were fatally shot Tuesday inside a Butternut Lane apartment in Woodland Village, Lexington County investigators say.

That apartment complex is off of Bush River Road near Interstate 20 in the St. Andrews section of Lexington County.

2 victims died on the scene. The 3rd victim was taken to the hospital in serious condition but has since died, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department reported by Twitter.

Detectives believe the shootings were not a random incident.

A 4th man made it out of the apartment and called 911 during or immediately after the gunfire, according to Twitter reports from the Sheriff’s Department.

Anyone with information can share tips anonymously @MidlandsCrime or by calling at 888-CRIME-SC.

Saluda River Academy bus crash

2 vehicles collided with a school bus in West Columbia Friday afternoon.

The Lexington District 2 school bus was sitting on Central Drive around 2:40 pm when 2 vehicles traveling down Sunset Blvd. ran into the driver’s side.

1 hit the front between the bumper and the tire, and the other hit the back near the tire.

District 2 spokesperson Dawn Kujawa told the Chronicle 37 children were on board at the time of the collison. 1 child was transported to the hospital with the parents.

The driver of the bus was uninjured.

The 36 other children were transferred to another bus to be taken home.

A West Columbia Police report states a car traveling from Leaphart St. struck a 2nd car traveling on Sunset Blvd. The impact caused the 2nd vehicle to collide with the bus waiting at a stop sign on Central Dr.

The 1st driver was cited for failing to yield right of way.

No other injuries were reported.