In the early morning hours of July 5, 2020, Clarence Sterling Johnson, a 51-year-old man working as a security guard at the Lavish Lounge nightclub in Greenville, South Carolina, was fatally shot. The incident, which also claimed the life of 23-year-old Mykala Bell and left eight others wounded, unfolded during a concert for the rapper Foogiano. Johnson, a father and grandfather, was remembered by his family as a hardworking and dedicated man with a passion for keeping others safe.
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Greenville County Sheriff's Office investigated the chaotic scene, and their efforts quickly led them to a suspect. Jarquez Kezavion Cooper, of Athens, Georgia, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, seven counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Investigators stated that the shooting stemmed from a gang-related dispute that began inside the crowded club. According to authorities, Cooper was part of the rapper's entourage and was seen on stage flashing a gang sign to someone in the audience before he began firing into the crowd. The club was reportedly operating in violation of COVID-19 restrictions at the time, with an estimated 200 people inside.
Following the shooting, the family of Mykala Bell filed a wrongful death lawsuit against rappers Gucci Mane and Foogiano, as well as Lavish Lounge and Jarquez Kezavion Cooper, alleging inadequate security. The emotional toll on the victims' families was evident during court proceedings, where they were given the opportunity to confront Cooper. In May of 2024, Jarquez Kezavion Cooper's trial concluded with a unique verdict. The jury found him guilty of the murder of Mykala Bell but not guilty of the murder of Clarence Johnson. Despite the acquittal in Johnson's death, Cooper was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of Bell and the other charges. While the verdict brought some measure of justice for one family, it left the question of who was responsible for Clarence Johnson's death officially unanswered in the eyes of the law.
