Two South Carolina men have been arrested on multiple charges after a shootout in the parking lot of a Midlands Burger King led to a search that resulted in the seizure of more than $50,000 worth of drugs and cash, Sumter police said Wednesday in a press release.
The gunfire occurred around 9:45 a.m. Friday outside the Burger King on Calhoun Street, the release said.
Two men were involved in a drug deal gone bad. One tried to rob the other, and the shooting started, police said.
One of the men, 24-year-old Authur Jamaal Reimbeau, a Spartanburg resident, was shot and ran a short distance from the parking lot of the fast food restaurant 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, after which 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, the release said. Nathaniel was charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during assault and battery with intent to distribute marijuana, trafficking in marijuana and felon in possession of a firearm, police said.
After Nathaniel’s arrest, officers searched a Reed Street home tied to him, where they found nearly $17,000 in cash and 18 pounds of marijuana that police estimate was worth $36,000, according to the release. The home is about a mile from the Burger King where the shooting occurred.
Police said both men were denied bond and are being held at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
Despite the arrests, police continue to investigate the shooting.
