3 teens arrested in connection with shooting of 15-year-old in Rock Hill

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Police have arrested three teens in connection with a shooting that injured a 15-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon in Rock Hill.

Officials with the Rock Hill police said the shooting happened on a walking trail in the area of Sunset Drive and Allen Street and that the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach.

Channel 9 was told the victim then called his father, who called 911.

The victim was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center, where authorities said he is still undergoing treatment and is expected to be OK.

On Wednesday, police said 17-year-old Devan Anthony Johnson, 17-year-old Elijah Isaiah McKnight and 18-year-old Ahlaysha Destiny Locke had been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.

Police said Locke and Johnson are known gang members. Johnson, who police said shot the victim, walked into court Wednesday trying to hide his face from the cameras.

"I don't want to be on TV," Johnson said.

Johnson appeared unfazed by what was going on or that he could serve life in prison for attempted murder.

His mother poured out her frustration over his behavior.

"The fact that he acts like it's just no big deal, it's just something that happens, it just makes me want to knock him out, across the room,” she said.

McKnight appeared humble and asked if he could apologize to the family.

Police said after the shooting, all three ran off, leaving the 15-year-old badly injured.

The suspects were caught in the same area within minutes. Bond was denied for all three of them.

Channel 9 learned that the two 15-year-olds were playing when the three older teenagers approached them. Two of them had guns.

One of the 15-year-olds jumped into a creek to escape. The other stood his ground and was shot.

The victim's mother begged the judge to keep the three suspects in jail, saying her son and his friend didn't even know them.

"He had no communication with these kids, whatsoever, so what they did to him, he totally did not deserve,” Hedder Baxter, the victim’s mother, said.

Officials said the teenagers attempted to rob the victim of some marijuana and other items, and then shot him.

The victim's father told Channel 9 he was shocked that police said the robbery was over drugs. He said the teens tried to take his son's shoes while he was playing with a remote-controlled car that he got for Christmas.

"Anything major out here, selling drugs or playing with guns, no, they ain't my son,” the father said.

"He's a sweet kid," Dianne Gordon, a friend of the victim, said. "Anytime I ask him to do something, he'll do it. He cut my grass; he helps me out a lot around here. They're good people."

Johnson has been charged with attempted armed robbery, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and possession of a pistol by a person under 18.

McKnight has been charged with attempted armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a pistol by a person under 18 and possession of a stolen pistol.

Locke has been charged with attempted armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and simple possession of marijuana, first offense.

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