Arrests Made After Shooting

This morning at approximately 6:20AM, deputies were dispatched to LC Drive in Laurens in reference to a victim being shot in the leg. After talking to witnesses at the scene, it was determined that the suspects had left the scene in a vehicle. Deputies located that vehicle a short time later in Cross Hill and attempted to make a traffic stop, however the individuals refused to stop and a pursuit began. The pursuit continued into Newberry County and Saluda County where deputies were able to stop the vehicle. The subjects in the vehicle were identified as Jerry James Brown of Cross Hill and Emily Hamilton Nickles of Ware Shoals. Brown was charged with Driving Under Suspension 2nd offense and Failure to Stop for Blue Lights 2nd offense. Nickles was identified as the shooter in the incident on LC Drive and was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature and Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime.

At the residence, the individuals listed below were arrested and charged as follows:

-William Porter Whatley of Laurens (no mugshot available)- Accessory After the Fact of a Felony

-Jesse Lee Harper Jr. of Laurens- Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance

-William Casey Whatley of Laurens- Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance

-Katherine Elaine Whatley of Laurens- Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance

This is an ongoing investigation and more charges are pending. I would like to thank the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol for their assistance in helping us apprehend these criminals. I also appreciate the work of our deputies and investigators in responding quickly and efficiently. I am very proud of the job that was done in a unified manner.

-Sheriff Don Reynolds

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SA_FH6beYj3quBFep7eCDoYmHhc8pCfb/view?usp=drivesdk