8 Persons including security arrested in club shooting
SUMTER, S.C. March 20 2024 The Sumter Police Department (SPD) announced eight people were charged after a shooting at Backyard Bar & Grill in Sumter.
On Sunday, March 10 at 6 p.m., authorities responded to reports of a fight at the bar, where they said they learned of possible gunfire.
Police announced on Tuesday two club patrons and six members of the company hired to provide security at the bar were charged.
Below are the people charged and their charges:
Aaliyah I. Blanding, 27, was charged with aggravated breach of peace and possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold.
Julius Armonte Rasheem Ellerbe, 24, was charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. Police said he was acting as a security guard and is not currently licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. Ellerbe’s security license was revoked in 2023 after an unrelated incident in Florence County where he faces felony charges. Ellerbe turned himself in this morning.
Steven Bethea, 32, who police said was acting as a security guard and is not licensed through the State Law Enforcement Division, was charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. Steven turned himself in Monday night.
Keion Shakel Dicks, 22, was charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Police said he was acting as a security guard and was not licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. Dicks turned himself in Monday night.
Myzariah Lucas, 22, was charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a gun on premises where alcohol is sold and aggravated breach of peace. Police said information gathered in the investigation indicated Lucas and at least two other people fired shots outside of the club.
Zachary Sebastian Geddings, 20, was charged with possession of a weapon on premises where alcohol is sold. Police said he was acting as a security guard and was not licensed by the State Law Enforcement Division. Geddings turned himself in on Monday.
James Lewis Love, 51, was charged with obstruction of justice. Love is a co-owner of Cerberus Security & Protection. Love was placed in custody Monday at his home.
Kevin Bethea, 35, was charged with obstruction of justice. Police said Kevin, who turned in herself Tuesday, is the owner of Cerberus Security & Protection in Sumter.
All eight people were booked at the county detention center.
An ongoing investigation revealed a disagreement or fight, between people attending a brunch and music performance at the club. Police said as the fight continued, a crowd moved outside into the parking lot where shots were fired.
Police said they recovered multiple shell casings from both hand and long guns found outside of the business.
Video of the shooting posted to Facebook showed a woman firing several shots outside the Backyard Bar and Grill.
Police said four people were hurt during the shooting. Three victims, a woman, 29, from Columbia, a woman, 26, from Bethune and a man, 21, of Sumter were shot. A 31-year-old woman was hurt after falling and being run over by a car leaving the parking lot.
All of the victims were taken to the hospital and have since been released, according to authorities.
SPD also released photos from surveillance footage on Tuesday of other people they said are connected with the fight and shooting incident at the bar. They said they are looking to identify these individuals.
