Tashonby Pedrick Wilson, age 34, was convicted of one count of Attempted Murder, Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature (ABHAN), and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime by a Lexington County jury late Friday evening. Circuit Court Judge Thomas W. Cooper, Jr., presided over the trial of this case and sentenced Wilson to 27 years in prison. Under South Carolina law, Attempted Murder and ABHAN are classified as “no parole” offenses.
Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard commented, “This case is a reminder that the drug trade is not only illegal, but can turn violent or deadly in an instant. This conduct greatly impacts our communities and the safety of our citizens.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitors Bradley Pogue and Luke Pincelli.
On September 26, 2016, Wilson arrived at the Boardwalk Villas on Lake Murray in Lexington County late this night armed with a .40 caliber handgun. Wilson was looking for two women he believed stole drugs from him earlier while at a hotel where he was selling drugs. Once he arrived at the Boardwalk Villas, he entered a condo where the women were and immediately shoots one of the women. The women were able to run outside, but were chased by Wilson. Once outside, he shoots the other woman multiple times as she was attempting to get away from him.
During the shooting, multiple bullets traveled through the door and walls of one of the neighbor’s homes. The neighbors then called 911 and provided first aid to the wounded women. First Responders arrived quickly on scene and both women were transported to the hospital for treatment. The first victim was shot in the abdomen and the second victim was shot at least four times resulting in major blood loss. Fortunately, both women recovered from their injuries.
During the investigation, law enforcement interviewed several witnesses to the shooting, including an 8 year old child, who were able to identify Wilson by name as the shooter. Wilson was later located at the Palmetto Inn hotel in Richland County.
At trial, testimony revealed that Wilson acquired the gun shortly before the shooting. Testimony also revealed that Wilson made an effort to convince witnesses not to identify him as the shooter and tried to secure their absence for the trial.
The investigation was conducted by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Wilson has a lengthy criminal history with multiple prior convictions for burglaries and will be transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.
https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/irmo/101-ca7f58e5-095d-430f-bc4b-5c3a03f28532