A teenager in South Carolina has been accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend during an argument as her 3-year-old child sat on a nearby couch and called out to his mother using her name.
Jayvion Nyrek Rice was arrested and charged with one count each of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, according to online records viewed by Us Weekly.
Rice, 19, has been accused of killing his 21-year-old girlfriend, Skyy Ernestasjah Logan, after they got into a fight on the evening of Tuesday, February 3.
Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene after receiving a report of an accidental shooting around 9 p.m. at a home on Farm Creek Road in Inman, South Carolina, according to WYFF. Rice’s mother was the person who reported the shooting to 911, per WSPA.
When police arrived at the address, first responders found Logan outside on the front porch as she suffered from an apparent gunshot wound to the torso. She was transported to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for treatment, where she was pronounced dead shortly before midnight.
While first speaking to investigators, Rice told deputies a firearm he was handling accidentally went off and hit Logan.
However, the sheriff’s office later obtained physical evidence that contradicted Rice’s claim that the gun was set off by accident. After deputies learned that Rice and Logan were romantically involved and were fighting at the time she was shot, he was arrested around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4.
Rice appeared in court on February 4, where he was told that he could face a maximum possible sentence of life without the possibility of parole if he is convicted of Logan’s murder. Meanwhile, his second charge carries a sentence of up to five years if he is convicted.
He was also informed that he was being held without bail until his trial provided additional details about the circumstances regarding the alleged murder.
“The victim is 21-year-old Skyy Logan,” Assistant Solicitor Anthony Leibert told the judge in court, according to footage obtained by WSPA. “Her 3-year-old little boy was sitting on a couch after the shooting, calling his mother’s name. He doesn’t know yet, he’s never gonna see her again. She was shot one time in the neck and the chest area.”
Leibert then implied that the crime was captured on video. “On the video, there’s blood exploding out of her body before she collapses and dies,” he said.
The judge agreed that Rice should not be given bail. Due to the decision, Rice will remain in custody. He is next scheduled to appear in court on April 16.
It is not currently clear if Rice has retained legal representation or entered a plea.
Deputies are asking that anyone who may have information regarding the shooting contact Sgt. Will Ussery at (864) 503-4536 or submit their tips at wussery@spartanburgcounty.org.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment following his arrest.
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