Six teens sentenced in cab driver shooting

Six teens charged in connection with the February shooting of a cab driver in Florence were sentenced Thursday morning, 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements III said.

Aries Rashawn Brown, 17, of 108 Baltimore Circle in Darlington was among six teens charged in the Feb. 13 shooting, which happened on Waverly Avenue, where the 52-year-old victim was waiting to pick up a passenger. Brown pleaded guilty to armed robbery, assault and battery with intent to kill and conspiracy.

Twelfth Circuit Judge Michael Nettles sentenced Brown to 27 years in jail for the armed robbery charge, 20 years for the assault charge and five years for the conspiracy charge, which will run concurrently. Assistant 12th Circuit Solicitor Fitzlee McEachin prosecuted the case.

The victim told police a man got into the front seat while two other men jumped into the back seat, Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said in an earlier report.

One of the suspects seated in the rear of the car put a gun to the back of the victim’s head and demanded money.

The victim handed over the money, but still was shot twice by the suspects, Raines said.

Police later found the victim sitting in the driver’s seat of the cab, bleeding from his legs and chest. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Florence 16-year-olds Anthony Earl Wilson, of 3171 Talloak Drive; Jamaad Dreqwan Thomas, of 717 Philadelphia Drive; and Tyson Wilson of 929 W. Sumter St., were each charged with armed robbery and assault and battery with intent to kill in connection with the case, Florence County Detention Center booking reports show. Jamaal Sandy Cannon, 17, of 314 Waverly Ave., Florence, faces the came charges in the case.

Nettles sentenced Anthony Wilson to 15 years in jail and Tyson Wilson to seven years in jail, McEachin said. It’s not clear whether the Wilsons are related.

Thomas received a 5-year sentence, suspended to a year of probation, while Cannon was sentenced to six years in jail, McEachin said.

Danielle Nicole Gibson, 19, of 3330 Sneed Road, Apt. E, Florence was charged with accessory before and after the fact of a felony and petit larceny in connection with the case, booking reports show. She received a 10-year sentence suspended to 90 days of active time with three years of probation, McEachin said.

“This was a very serious case and we were pleased with the outcome and sentence..,” Clements said. “The citizens of Florence are fortunate that they have two of the best law enforcement agencies in the state in the Florence Police Department and Florence County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant Solicitor McEachin did an outstanding job.”