Sheriff: 14-year-old died trying to rob drug dealer

John Riley, Calvin Busby and Jerrell Richardson.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, SC (WIS) - A young teenager is dead after he and his friends tried to rob a drug dealer, according to Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell.

The sheriff said the 14-year-old was shot during a shootout that ensued during a drug deal in the Cordova area of Orangeburg County Monday night.

Investigators are not yet sure if the victim was shot by one of his friends or by the person they were trying to buy from.

According to Orangeburg County Coroner Samuetta Marshall, the victim died at the hospital from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Sheriff Ravenell said a deputy was on routine patrol along Courtney Ln. around 11:55 p.m. when she heard gunshots. A man then flagged down the deputy and said that his friend had been shot.

"That individual said that he and two of his friends were walking from a gas station when a white vehicle began following them," said Ravenell. "He continued by saying that he heard several shots, saw the car take off, and looked back to see his friend had collapsed to the ground."

The investigation, however, shows that the initial statements made by brothers Jerrell Richardson and John Riley were false, Ravenell said.

"Richardson and Riley changed their stories, continued Ravenell. "Richardson and Riley have signed statements that they along with the victim planned all day Monday, May 7 "to rob a drug dealer." Richardson and Riley told us they contacted Calvin Busby. When officers responded to Busby's home, he showed us the narcotics in his bedroom. He was taken into custody."

Charges are pending.

The Orangeburg County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate.