16-year-old charged with murder after another teen was killed, SC officials say
One South Carolina teenager was recently killed in a shooting and another has been charged with murder, according to Berkeley County officials.
Jakari Simmons Ross, an 18-year-old Pineville resident, is the homicide victim who died in a June 19 shooting, according to the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office.
On June 30, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office announced a 16-year-old was arrested in connection to Ross’ death. The 16-year-old was not publicly identified because of their age.
At about 4:30 p.m. on June 19, deputies responded to a report of a crash in the Gabe Road area in Pineville, the sheriff’s office said. That’s near Lake Marion, about 60 miles from Charleston.
When they arrived, deputies learned the wreck was the result of a shooting, according to the sheriff’s office. The deputies found the driver, later identified as Ross, inside of the wrecked vehicle and he died at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.
No other injuries were reported.
Information about the shooting, and a motive for the gunfire, was not available.
There was no word about how investigators identified the 16-year-old as the shooter. In addition to murder, the 16-year-old was also charged with possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, armed robbery, unlawful carrying of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the sheriff’s office.
Despite the 16-year-old’s arrest, the sheriff’s office said it’s continuing to investigate the shooting along with the coroner’s office.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 843-719-4505.
“I know it is troubling to see the increase of violence from juveniles,” Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis said in a news release. “No matter the age of the offender, we will use every available resource to pursue justice. When someone takes a life, they will be held accountable.”
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This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 8:39 AM with the headline "16-year-old charged with murder after another teen was killed, SC officials say."
