Two South Carolina men were arrested on multiple charges after a shootout in the parking lot of a Midlands Burger King led to a search where more than $50,000 worth of drugs and cash were seized, the Sumter Police Department said Wednesday in a news release.
The exchange of gunfire happened Friday at about 9:45 a.m. outside of the Burger King on Calhoun Street, according to the release.
Two men were involved with drug deal gone bad, as one tried to rob the other, then the shooting started, police said.
One of the men, 24-year-old Spartanburg resident Authur Jamaal Reimbeau, was shot and ran a short distance from the fast food restaurant’s parking lot where he was found injured, according to the release.
At least one vehicle was hit by the gunfire, but no other injuries were reported, police said.
Reimbeau was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released Tuesday, when he was placed in police custody, according to the release.
Reimbeau was charged with discharging a firearm into a vehicle, attempted murder, illegal possession of marijuana (2nd offense), possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and armed robbery, police said.
The second shooter, 23-year-old Sumter resident Eyan Ernest Nathaniel, drove away from the Burger King but was located a short time later and taken into custody, according to the release. Nathaniel was charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent possession with intent to distribute marijuana, trafficking of marijuana and felon in possession of a firearm, police said.
Following Nathaniel’s arrest, officers searched a Reed Street residence tied to him where they found nearly $17,000 in cash and 18 pounds of marijuana that police estimated was worth $36,000, according to the release. The residence is about a mile from the Burger King where the shooting happened.
Police said both men were denied bond and are being held at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
Despite the arrests, police are continuing to investigate the shooting.