Man accused in Lancaster shootings is a threat to public safety, prosecutors say
The man accused of killing two people and wounding eight others in a mass shooting at a Lancaster nightclub has been denied bond.
Breante Deon Stevens, 31, is charged with two counts of murder, eight counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature from the Sept. 21 shooting at the Ole Skool club in Lancaster. Stevens was in court Thursday for a bond hearing at the Lancaster County Courthouse.
Stevens fired into the crowd from the stage, prosecutors said in court Thursday. More than 100 people packed the club at the time, prosecutors said.
“It is a miracle more people were not shot,” prosecutor Lisa Collins said in court. “This is a textbook example of someone being both a flight risk and danger to the community.”
Collins called the incident “a mass shooting.”
Stevens did not speak in court. His lawyer, John O’Leary, said in court Stevens denies the charges.
Circuit Court Judge Brian Gibbons denied bond after saying Stevens is a flight risk and threat to the community. Stevens will remain in jail without bail, Gibbons ordered.
Prosecutors and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office deputies said Stevens killed Henry Lee Colvin, 29, of Rock Hill, and Aaron Harris, 28, of Kershaw.
The Herald reported in October that police said in arrest warrants that Stevens is accused of climbing on stage in the bar during a performance and firing at patrons. Warrants state Stevens had an argument with Colvin at the club.
Stevens was captured in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., following a manhunt that involved local police and deputies, State Law Enforcement Division agents, the FBI and U.S. Marshal’s Service. Stevens waived extradition from Florida Oct. 3.
In a previous court hearing Oct. 11 in Lancaster, covered by The Herald, Stevens claimed he was fired at during the nightclub altercation. Police and prosecutors have not corroborated that claim.
Stevens is a convicted felon who recently was released from prison after South Carolina convictions for drug trafficking and robbery, according to court and SLED records. He also is facing charges of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and being a felon in possession of weapons during a violent crime, warrants show.
Stevens could face punishment up to the death penalty if convicted of two homicides in the same incident, South Carolina law states.
A second suspect, Antonio Emmanuel Champion, 30, of Fort Mill in York County, also is charged with murder in connection with the two fatal shootings, officials said. Champion remains jailed without bond.
Check back for updates on this developing story, including video from court on Thursday.
This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 3:15 PM.
