2 charged in Rock Hill shooting after ‘misidentifying’ the 4 victims, police say

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Two people have been charged with several counts of attempted murder after four men were shot Saturday night, according to the Rock Hill Police Department. Police believe it was a case of mistaken identities.

Police said they responded to a call just after 11:30 p.m. about gunshots on Brunswick Drive near Fairway Circle. They saw a party wrapping up down the street at another house.

Police found a burgundy Honda Accord on the side of the road in front of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The driver-side door of the car was open and a 25-year-old man who had been shot in the head was in the front passenger seat. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, according to police.

While at the hospital, police learned three more victims connected to the same shooting had also been admitted. Those victims -- two 19-year-olds and a 24-year-old -- had both been shot but were expected to recover.

Police identified Jaryrin Hemphill and Jakai Johnson, both 20 years old, as the suspects in this case.

Police said Hemphill and Johnson misidentified the victims, thinking they knew them from a past encounter. As the victims drove past them Saturday, Hemphill and Johnson began firing at the vehicles, resulting in the four being shot, investigators said.

Channel 9′s Dan Matics spoke to Johnson’s father Monday. He didn’t want to do an interview, but said his son acted in self-defense.

Hemphill and Johnson have each been charged with seven counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a weapon during a crime of violence.

Nekia lives on Brunswick Drive. She said after hearing the first set of gunshots Saturday, she went to her window and saw even more chaos unfold.

“I was like oh my God! they are shooting right in front of the house!” she said.

All of the people involved in the shooting are under 25 years old, which Nekia said is the worst part.

“I think it’s very sad because they have so much more to live for,” she said. “There’s so much more they could be getting involved in.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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