Lancaster County Shooting Leads To 8 Arrests On Multiple Charges

Justin Pryor,

LANCASTER COUNTY, SC — Deputies have charged eight suspects with multiple crimes following a reported shooting on April 9th.

Around 10:30am, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office says they were called to a home on John Street in relation to a shooting. Officials say three suspects pulled up in a vehicle and got into a physical altercation with several residents at the home.

During the fight, witnesses say one of the suspects pulled a gun from a backpack and fired one shot into the ground. The three suspects got back into the vehicle, deputies say, and fired two more rounds while taking off.

Investigators say they discovered drug related items sitting in plain view during their investigation and obtained a search warrant for the home.

After serving the warrant, detectives reportedly located and seized 14.35 grams of Methamphetamine, Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills, 18 Ecstasy pills, four types of prescription drugs, a small amount of Marijuana, three digital scales, seven smoking pipes and baggies.

Deputies say Stephen Lucas Amerson, 20, Jessica Lynn Hensley, 39, Jason Stuart Merritt, 36, Rachael Ann Perry, 37, and Jerry Gene Williams, 35, all of Lancaster, were present at the home during the search and taken into custody.

On April 11th, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office reportedly located and arrested Tyler Lee Smith, 22, during a traffic stop on Brooklyn Avenue at Springdale Road. Smith, a suspect in the John Street shooting, had a backpack between his feet with a 9mm pistol and two magazines, according to deputies.

Officials then located the two additional shooting suspects, Dustin Cauthen, 29, and Asia Oliver, 29, on April 12th while serving outstanding warrants on Cauthen at a home on Hillcrest Avenue. Deputies reportedly found Methamphetamine and two types of prescription drugs during a search of the home.

Both suspects were taken into custody.

All suspects in the case are charged as follows:

  • Dustin Eric Cauthen
    • Attempted Murder (three counts)
    • Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime
    • Possession of Methamphetamine
    • Possession of a Prescription Drug without a Prescription (two counts)
    • Possession of Stolen Goods Less than $2,000.00
  • Tyler Lee Smith
    • Attempted Murder (three counts)
    • Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime
    • Carrying a Pistol
  • Asia Danielle Oliver
    • Possession of Methamphetamine
    • Possession of a Prescription Drug without a Prescription (two counts)
    • Possession of Stolen Goods Less than $2,000.00
  • Stephen Lucas Amerson, Jessica Lynn Hensley, Jason Stuart Merritt, Rachael Ann Perry, and Jerry Gene Williams are each charged with the following:
    • Trafficking Methamphetamine 14-28 Grams
    • Possession with Intent to Distribute Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride
    • Possession with Intent to Distribute Ecstasy
    • Possession of a Prescription Drug without a Prescription (four counts)
    • Simple Possession of Marijuana.