BENNETTSVILLE, SC (WBTW) – The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a deadly shooting near Bennettsville.
According to Coroner Tim Brown, the body of Javonta Deese was found near Grace Heights around 11 p.m. Monday.
Deputies are looking for two more suspects in this case, including 29-year-old Donta Vershaun Pearson of Laurel Hill, North Carolina. He is wanted for murder, armed robbery, conspiracy, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Pearson is a black man, 5’8″, and 155lbs.
Deputies also search for 34-year-old Darrius D. Moore of Gibson, North Carolina. He is also wanted for murder, armed robbery, conspiracy, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He is a black man, 5’7″, and 175lbs.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of these two fugitives, please call 911 or the MCSO at 843-479-5605 and ask to speak to an Investigator.
Lt. Jamie Seales announced on Friday that officers arrested third suspect in the case. 29-year-old Johnny Lee Smith of Bennettsville is charged with accessory before the fact to murder, accessory after the fact, and conspiracy. Lt. Seales says the investigation shows Smith helped plan the robbery, and showed the location to the other defendents, who are from North Carolina. Smith has a prior record that includes drug convictions.
Officers have charged all defendants so far, including Smith, with conspiracy for the planning and execution of the robbery that resulted in the victim’s death.
Smith will have his first appearance before a judge on Monday, but bond won’t be set until General Sessions court.
Deputies also arrested 17-year-old Bobby Marqueet Pearson, Jr., also known as BJ, in connection to the crime.
Pearson is charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, armed robbery, and conspiracy. He was arrested Wednesday in Scotland County by the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office.
He will have a extradition hearing on Thursday.
Deputies said 31-year-old John Phillip Pearson, also known as T-Bizquit, of Gibson, NC turned himself in Thursday. He is the person seen in the surveillance photos. He was wanted for murder, conspiracy, and armed robbery.
Both suspects are currently on probation in North Carolina. Bobby Pearson was shot by another co-conspirator, and was treated at the hospital for his injuries.
Deputies say there could be more arrests in this case.
Marlboro County Lt. Jamie Seales said via press release that there was some type of robbery attempt and two other suspects shot at the victim multiple times near the door.
The building was being used as a “poker house” and several video poker and illegal gaming machines were found inside, the release stated.
In November 2013, the MCSO and SLED served a search warrant at this location and seized several machines and made arrests.
Brown said Deese died from a gunshot wound.
Count on News13 and WBTW.com for more on this story as soon as it becomes available.
