A murder suspect is now in custody after being captured in Columbia on Apr. 29.
Anderson County detectives have charged 27-year-old E’Nicholas Leake with murder in connection to the shooting death of 21-year-old Jamyuz Bennett.
Deputies initially responded Tuesday afternoon to the area of Nelson Drive and River Street, where they discovered a wrecked sedan riddled with multiple bullet holes.
According to investigators, Leake began chasing Bennett from a gas station near Highway 413 and Highway 252. As the pursuit continued, Leake fired multiple shots into the maroon Kia, striking Bennett in the head. Two additional people inside the car were able to escape and told deputies they were being chased by the suspect’s car along Belton-Anderson Highway.
A coordinated search for the suspect followed with detectives looking in the direction of Columbia.
With assistance from multiple agencies including South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Richland County deputies, Leake was located in Columbia. Authorities say Leake led officers on a brief chase before stopping near Assembly Street and taking off on foot into the Strom Thurmond Wellness Center, where he was taken into custody.
Leake will be transported to the Anderson County Detention Center, where he will appear before a judge on this murder charge.
