Series Of Events Leads To Several Arrests In Whitmire
Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster reports that a series of dangerous events involving multiple armed suspects led to several arrests following an incident in Whitmire.
A Whitmire Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding after it pulled into the Lil Cricket. During the stop, the officer detected the odor of marijuana and requested assistance from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, officers observed a firearm positioned between the passengers inside the vehicle. As officers attempted to investigate further, one subject, later identified as Kyshawn Rashad Ware, pushed away from officers and fled on foot.
Ware was picked up by a second vehicle that left the scene. A responding deputy observed the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the second vehicle intentionally rammed the deputy’s patrol vehicle and fled through Whitmire. The fleeing vehicle approached the Whitmire Community Center, where three suspects, including Ware, jumped from the moving vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
As deputies pursued the suspects, one individual, later identified as Jalen Jawwan Hamrick, pulled a firearm on deputies. He was quickly disarmed before he could fire. Ware was apprehended while fleeing from the scene.
A subsequent investigation identified the driver of the second vehicle as Jonathan Deshawn Thompson, 25, of Greenville, SC. He left the scene in a car from the Community Center and will face charges.
Deputies arrested Kyshawn Rashad Ware, 30, of Piedmont, SC, who will be charged with Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature and Resisting Arrest. Jalen Jawwan Hamrick, 25, of Greenville, SC, will be charged with Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature and Resisting Arrest with a Deadly Weapon.
Jonathan Deshawn Thompson, 25, of Greenville, SC, has not been located, but will be charged with Failing to Stop for a Law Enforcement Officer, Attempted Murder, and Resisting Arrest.
A total of three firearms were seized during the second traffic stop. During the initial stop, the Whitmire Police Department arrested Yachi Pinson, 30, of Greenville, SC; Kanijae Traviez Howard, 28, of Greenville, SC; and Sanchez Antavious Gilliam, 29, of Greer, SC. All three will be charged with Possession of a Stolen Weapon and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Two firearms were seized during that stop.
Investigators have determined that all subjects were in Whitmire to attend a party taking place at the Whitmire Community Center. All suspects arrested are classified as known gang members, and one individual was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the incident. Sheriff Foster stated: “This incident is a clear reminder of how dangerous law enforcement work is each and every day. In a matter of moments, what began as a routine traffic stop escalated into a violent situation involving multiple armed suspects, a vehicle ramming a deputy’s patrol car, and a firearm being pulled on deputies. We are extremely fortunate that no officers or citizens were shot or seriously injured. I commend the Whitmire Police Department and the deputies of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office for their bravery, professionalism, and composure under pressure. Their training and quick actions prevented this situation from turning tragic and ensured these dangerous individuals were taken into custody.” The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are possible. Pictures of the suspects will be forthcoming once booking and data collection has been completed.
Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster reports that a series of dangerous events involving multiple armed suspects led to several arrests following an incident in Whitmire.
A Whitmire Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding after it pulled into the Lil Cricket. During the stop, the officer detected the odor of marijuana and requested assistance from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, officers observed a firearm positioned between the passengers inside the vehicle. As officers attempted to investigate further, one subject, later identified as Kyshawn Rashad Ware, pushed away from officers and fled on foot.
Ware was picked up by a second vehicle that left the scene. A responding deputy observed the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the second vehicle intentionally rammed the deputy’s patrol vehicle and fled through Whitmire. The fleeing vehicle approached the Whitmire Community Center, where three suspects, including Ware, jumped from the moving vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
As deputies pursued the suspects, one individual, later identified as Jalen Jawwan Hamrick, pulled a firearm on deputies. He was quickly disarmed before he could fire. Ware was apprehended while fleeing from the scene.
A subsequent investigation identified the driver of the second vehicle as Jonathan Deshawn Thompson, 25, of Greenville, SC. He left the scene in a car from the Community Center and will face charges.
Deputies arrested Kyshawn Rashad Ware, 30, of Piedmont, SC, who will be charged with Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature and Resisting Arrest. Jalen Jawwan Hamrick, 25, of Greenville, SC, will be charged with Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature and Resisting Arrest with a Deadly Weapon.
Jonathan Deshawn Thompson, 25, of Greenville, SC, has not been located, but will be charged with Failing to Stop for a Law Enforcement Officer, Attempted Murder, and Resisting Arrest.
A total of three firearms were seized during the second traffic stop. During the initial stop, the Whitmire Police Department arrested Yachi Pinson, 30, of Greenville, SC; Kanijae Traviez Howard, 28, of Greenville, SC; and Sanchez Antavious Gilliam, 29, of Greer, SC. All three will be charged with Possession of a Stolen Weapon and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. Two firearms were seized during that stop.
Investigators have determined that all subjects were in Whitmire to attend a party taking place at the Whitmire Community Center. All suspects arrested are classified as known gang members, and one individual was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the incident. Sheriff Foster stated: “This incident is a clear reminder of how dangerous law enforcement work is each and every day. In a matter of moments, what began as a routine traffic stop escalated into a violent situation involving multiple armed suspects, a vehicle ramming a deputy’s patrol car, and a firearm being pulled on deputies. We are extremely fortunate that no officers or citizens were shot or seriously injured. I commend the Whitmire Police Department and the deputies of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office for their bravery, professionalism, and composure under pressure. Their training and quick actions prevented this situation from turning tragic and ensured these dangerous individuals were taken into custody.” The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are possible. Pictures of the suspects will be forthcoming once booking and data collection has been completed.
