Police allege 13-year-old fired gun in Fort Mill killing; two teens charged
A pair of teenagers — including a 13-year-old boy who is the alleged shooter — have been arrested in a killing at a Fort Mill park that happened late last month, according to police and arrest warrants.
The crime involved a robbery of a gun from 21-year-old victim Johnny Wayne Martin Cook of Chester at Steele Street Park on Aug. 28 around 10:30 p.m., according to officials and court documents. Cook was found dead in the park in a residential neighborhood off S.C. 160 near the eastern edge of Fort Mill.
The homicide is the first in Fort Mill in 2025. It is one of the fastest growing towns in South Carolina located between Charlotte and Rock Hill.
Jalen Daquavious Thames, 18, of Rock Hill, and the 13-year-old were charged Tuesday with murder, armed robbery, conspiracy, possession of a stolen gun and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, Fort Mill police Capt. Steven Bivins said.
The 13-year-old has not been identified because of his age.
Warrants: Suspects wanted to steal victim’s gun
Thames provided a handgun to the 13-year-old and both arranged a meeting with Cook with the intent to steal a different gun from Cook, according to arrest warrants against Thames obtained by The Herald. During the robbery, the “co-defendant” shot Cook several times, according to the warrants.
Bivins said the co-defendant is the 13-year-old charged in the case.
Bivins declined to release more details about the shooting and robbery — including whether the gun used has been recovered or where the stolen weapon came from — citing the ongoing investigation.
What happens now?
Thames is at the York County jail awaiting a first court appearance after being charged as an adult. The younger suspect is in custody of the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice pending a first appearance in Family Court, Bivins told The Herald.
For adults, a conviction for murder carries 30 years to life in a South Carolina prison. Juveniles convicted of murder in Family Court can be held until age 22. It remains unclear if York County prosecutors will seek to have the younger suspect tried as an adult where the potential punishment for convictions could be more severe.
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 8:57 AM.
