In the quiet community of Sumter, South Carolina, a tragic event unfolded on the afternoon of April 22, 2020, forever altering the lives of those involved. Tarrik Mack-Sumpter, a 27-year-old Black or African American male, was found fatally wounded in the backyard of his own home on Lewis Road. Responding to a call of shots fired shortly after 1:45 p.m., police arrived to a scene that would soon launch a thorough homicide investigation.
Friends and family remembered Mack-Sumpter for his vibrant personality, his infectious smile, and his ability to bring laughter to any room.
The initial investigation pointed towards a planned drug transaction that had taken a violent and deadly turn, escalating into an armed robbery. Witnesses reported seeing a man and a woman fleeing the area in a light-colored vehicle around the time of the shooting. This crucial piece of information, coupled with a sketch of the male suspect released to the public, quickly propelled the case forward. The Sumter Police Department, with assistance from the State Law Enforcement Division and the Lee County Sheriff's Department, worked diligently to identify the individuals responsible for Mack-Sumpter's death.
Within days, the investigation led to the arrests of two suspects. Markel Anthony Atkinson, 22, of Bishopville, and his girlfriend, Tracy Angela Legg, 25, of Sumter, were taken into custody on April 27, 2020. Atkinson was apprehended after a brief foot chase, while Legg was arrested at her home without incident. Both were charged with murder and armed robbery. In addition to these charges, Atkinson also faced a charge for possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Following their arrests, they were detained at the Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detention Center as the investigation continued.
