Police arrest 17-year-old accused of murdering man in Lancaster County

LANCASTER, S.C. — A 17-year-old accused of murdering a man at the beginning of August turned himself in Friday to the Lancaster Police Department.

Officers said Dondrako Howze Jr. is facing charges for murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Police said they found 18-year-old Tyreak Stevens shot just before 9 p.m. on Aug. 2 at the Sycamore Run Apartments on Miller and Gooch streets in Lancaster.

Police said they were called to the area for reports of shots being fired. When they got there, they found Stevens with several gunshots lying in the apartment complex parking lot.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have not said what led up to the shooting.

Police in Lancaster County said they are also investigating a second deadly shooting that weekend in early August.

Officers said a separate shooting happened Saturday afternoon on Dixon Road. In that case, 49-year-old Tony McGriff was found shot to death outside a Lancaster home. No arrests have been made in that case either.

Neighbor Ernestine Stover saw McGriff just hours before he died. She believes the spike in violence stems from job loss and hopelessness.

“There’s so much violence and they see that this (coronavirus) is going on, taking out a lot of people,” Stover said. “Seems like we should be pulling together to help each other.”

In a statement, Lancaster Police Chief Scott Grant noted the city has seen a recent increase in violence.

He said the department’s success is greatly enhanced when the public works with the police to solve cases.

“As a city, we are all in this together,” Grant said.

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LANCASTER POLICE CHIEF STATEMENT:

"It is no secret that the City of Lancaster has experienced a sudden increase in shootings over the past few weeks. This weekend was especially deadly, with two persons losing their lives to needless violence. While there is nothing that indicates these two latest incidents are related, we will continue to investigate all possible leads and do everything within our power to bring those responsible to justice.

However, we are only one part of this equation. Our department partners with the public to solve cases. Our success is always greatly enhanced when the public arms us with the knowledge necessary to effectively investigate matters such as these. As a city, we are all in this together.

It is my most sincere hope that anyone with any knowledge or insight into either of these incidents will come forward. You can always remain anonymous if you choose, but your input might make all the difference for one of these victims and their families.”

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No other information has been released.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.

1 killed in Lancaster County, authorities say 1 killed in Lancaster County, authorities say

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