Teenage murder suspects turn themselves in in Rock Hill

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Two teenagers turned themselves in Monday morning to face a murder charge, but they are not talking to police or saying anything about the third suspect, who's still out there.

Michael Giddens, 25, was shot multiple times and killed Friday afternoon at a house where he stayed with friends on Cedar Grove Lane in Rock Hill. His cousin Shelby Preslar told Channel 9 she's grateful two suspects have been caught.

"I don't understand why they would do this, but I'm glad they're not going to get out any time soon," she said.

On Monday afternoon, Giddens' mother and Preslar sat in court as the two teenagers charged in the murder were both denied bond.

Dontavion White, 17, was expressionless as he stood before a judge. He said he lived with his mother and had finished the 10th grade in school.

Maurice Burris, 16, was in court about two hours earlier.

Channel 9 learned that both suspects were students in Rock Hill's alternative school, named Renaissance.

It's not known if they had been expelled from school.

Both teens are charged with murder, armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and weapons violations.

Family members of Giddens are still in shock at his death. His cousin said he was a very loyal person and a tattoo artist.

"He just had a lot of people that really cared about him and he was a good kid," Preslar said.

Three .45-caliber shell casings were found inside the house and neighbors said they saw the three suspects leave in a blue SUV, which was later found abandoned with the handgun inside.

Police said they had identified the teens within hours of the crime.

Preslar said the family is just trying to hold it together now.

"It's hard, but we're doing OK, for now," she said.

The motive for the shooting is still unclear.

A neighbor said he saw one of the suspects chasing the victim down the street, pointing a gun at him.

The shooting happened inside moments later.

Arrest warrants said they took a shotgun from Giddens resulting in the armed robbery charge.

Anyone with information involving this crime , contact the Rock Hill Police Department at 803-329-7200.

Read our coverage from Friday on the shooting here.

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