CHESTER COUNTY, S.C — Vangereil Dretreckes Miller, accused of shooting five people, killing two in Chester County on March 6, has been arrested Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas, according to deputies.
The five people were shot around 12:30 a.m. on March 6 in the area of Powell Drive, off of James F. Wherry Road and Harvey Neely Road, according to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office.
Kevin Feaster died at the scene. The four other victims left the scene and arrived at the hospital before deputies got there, authorities said.
One of the victims was later released from the hospital. On March 7, deputies said three others remained in the hospital.
On March 9, authorities said 31-year-old Shonta Neely died from her injuries. According to the sheriff’s office, she was an innocent bystander.
Chester County deputies then began searching for Miller, who they identified as the suspect in the shooting.
“It was a pretty crowded area. Lots of people were there. Miller would have shot Feaster intentionally and other people may have been trying to get out of the way and caught stray bullets,” Chester County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Grant Suskin told Channel 9.
In early May, federal agents joined the hunt for Miller. According to WLOS, Miller was wearing an ankle monitor from a previous arrest and removed it before the shooting.
One month later, on Wednesday, the FBI announced a $10,000 reward for any information leading to Miller’s arrest.
BREAKING: The Chester County Sheriff's Office is looking for Vangereil Dretreckes Miller (aka "Gerald") in relation to a shooting this morning. Miller is to be considered armed and dangerous. If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Miller, please call 911. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/UPPXJkRNb9
— Tina Terry (@TinaTerryWSOC9) March 6, 2022
Following Neely’s death, Miller was also charged with more counts of murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession of a firearm by a violent felon.
Deputies believe the motive for this shooting came from a prior argument between Miller and Feaster in May of 2020.
Miller will be extradited back to South Carolina after being processed in Texas.
He faces two murder charges, possession of a weapon by a violent felon and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Miller’s criminal past
Before his arrest in Texas, Miller was out on bond for the following charges:
- Attempted murder in Feb. 2020
- Possession of a weapon during a violent crime in Feb. 2020
- Attempted murder in May 2020
- Malicious injury to property in May 2020
- Possession of a weapon during a violent crime in May 2020
Those charges came from previous crimes Miller and Feaster were involved in that Channel 9 has covered.
Feaster was arrested in connection with a murder that happened on May 15, 2020, near York Street Apartments on York Street in Chester, police said. Christopher Mayfield, 42, was shot and died at the scene. Miller was also charged in the case, Chester police said.
Also in May 2020, Chester police said Feaster, a Blood gang member, was facing several charges after running from officers. Police said they tried to stop him for a traffic violation, but he drove away and then ran into an apartment complex with a gun. After several hours, authorities were able to take him into custody.
The Chester County Sheriff’s Office said in Feb. 2020, Miller was charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm after shooting into a car and hitting someone. Deputies said the victim in this case was his girlfriend.
Miller was then arrested in June 2020 for attempted murder from an incident in May, where he shot into a car after an argument, investigators said.
A defense attorney told Channel 9′s Tina Terry that Miller getting bond on those types of charges is unusual.
“With an attempted murder-type case and certainly a murder, those are the cases you commonly see where folks aren’t released,” said attorney Mark S. Jetton, Jr. “They have to stay in custody until they have their day in court, unless there is something extraordinary about the case.”
The deputy solicitor said Miller didn’t have much of a violent criminal past before that first attempted murder charge, but he did have an unlawful carry pistol conviction.
She said to stop something like this from happening in the future, she supports a law saying anyone with a prior gun conviction who is then re-arrested for a violent offense involving a gun cannot be let out on bond.
Anyone with information can also call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Citizens can additionally call their local FBI Office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate or submit a tip online by clicking here.
All tips are anonymous.
(WATCH BELOW: Man sentenced to 40 years in prison for deadly York County home invasion)
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