Man faces murder charge in Florence shooting

A man in custody on federal weapons charges is charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a Florence man more than a month ago, Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said.

Police served Calif Nashon Majid Smyer, 34, of 1102 S. Christopher Lane, Florence, with the warrant Wednesday in connection with the Sept. 4 death of 26-year-old Anthony D. Robinson.

Robinson apparently was trying to get into a vehicle in the 300 block of North Dargan Street when a man came up to him and shot him with a rifle sometime between 2 and 2:30 a.m.

Robinson made his way to nearby Trinity Baptist Church where he collapsed. Police said bystanders tried to give Robinson CPR in the church parking lot, but Robinson was pronounced dead at an area hospital about 3 a.m. that day.

Smyer was a person of interest in Robinson’s death as soon as police began their investigation, Raines said.

Witnesses told police the suspect shot Robinson because of a confrontation the two had over a woman they were dating, Raines said.

Witnesses also told investigators the suspect was in the area when the shooting happened, Raines said.

Smyer has been in custody at Florence County Detention Center in Effingham on federal charges for an unrelated incident since Sept. 5.

Meanwhile, Florence police were conducting the murder investigation and gathering sufficient probable cause to serve the murder warrant, Raines said.

The warrant was served Wednesday during an arraignment in state court, 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements III said.

Jack Lawson is Smyer’s attorney in the case, Clements said.

Lauren Precious Wells, 23, of 702 Page St., was arrested Oct. 14 and is charged with accessory before the fact of a violent felony and accessory after the fact of a felony or murder in connection with Robinson’s death. She also remains in custody at the jail in Effingham.