Two teens arrested after 20-year-old was killed in shooting, SC sheriff says
A South Carolina man was killed Tuesday afternoon and two teenagers have been arrested in connection to the fatal shooting, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Nyasia Nicole Vaughn, a 17-year-old Sumter resident, and a 15-year-old were arrested Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. The 15-year-old’s name is not being made public because of their age.
Vaughn was charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, unlawful possession of a pistol and possession of a stolen gun, according to the release.
The 15-year-old Olanta resident was charged with accessory after the fact, the sheriff’s office said.
The charges are connected to the death of a 20-year-old Sumter County resident identified by the Sumter County Coroner’s Office as Cameron Pearson, according to the release.
At about 3 p.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a report of a shooting near Old Manning Road in the southern part of Sumter County, according to the release.
Deputies found the victim’s body, the sheriff’s office said.
No other injuries were reported.
The shooting stemmed from an altercation between acquaintances, according to the release.
Vaughn and the 15-year-old drove to a home on Bluegrass Court to meet with Pearson, the sheriff’s office said. An argument broke out between Vaughn and Pearson during a transaction involving a stolen firearm that Vaughn brought to the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
During the altercation, Vaughn shot Pearson multiple times before she and the 15-year-old left, the sheriff’s office said.
“This is another example of a senseless death involving young people with guns, and we are investigating how Vaughn came into possession of the gun,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said in the release.
After witnesses were interviewed, a search for the wanted teens began, the sheriff’s office said. Shortly before noon Wednesday, deputies located a vehicle matching the description of the one involved in the shooting then conducted a felony traffic stop and safely took the two suspects into custody without incident, according to the sheriff’s office.
Vaughn was taken to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and is awaiting a bond hearing, according to the release.
The 15-year-old was taken to a Department of Juvenile Justice facility, and continues to be held there, the sheriff’s office said.
“This was an isolated incident involving only the suspects and Pearson,” Dennis said.
Despite the arrests the shooting continues to be investigated by the sheriff’s office.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 803-236-6275, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit a tip online.
In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
“It’s heartbreaking to see young people resorting to gun violence to solve disputes. This is a tragedy for everyone involved — the victim, the suspects, and their families,” Dennis said. “We must work together as a community to help guide our youth and find better ways to resolve conflict before more lives are lost.”
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This story was originally published July 3, 2025 at 7:58 AM with the headline "Two teens arrested after 20-year-old was killed in shooting, SC sheriff says."
