Suspect held in Columbus in Lewis’ Horry County murder

By DEUCE NIVEN

     A suspect in the murder of a Tabor City woman in Horry County is in custody in Columbus County on a fugitive warrant.

Jakeem Jerome Bryant Sr.

     Jakeem Jerome Bryant Sr., 27, who shows addresses on James Street and Courtney Lane, Tabor City, is charged in Horry County Police Department warrants with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in the Aug. 14 killing of Latosha Nicole Lewis, HCPD spokeswoman Krystal Dotson said.

     Police found the body of Lewis, 31, in her car near Carolina Baptist Church in the Green Sea area of Horry County about 2 a.m. on that Monday morning. A small child, apparently one of six she had, was in also in the car, unharmed, police said.

     Bryant was arrested on Shug Norris Road east of Tabor City on Aug. 17, charged with assault on a female, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with a minor present, assault, two counts of kidnapping, burglary, and communicating threats, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office reports show.

     Tina Yvonne Stevenson, 23, and a 2 year-old child were victims in that case, the report said. A handgun was used during that crime, the report said.

     Look for more on this story in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.