In the afternoon hours of a Monday in Columbia, South Carolina, events unfolded that would end the life of 29-year-old Michael Uzell Bates. On November 18, 2019, Richland County Sheriff's Department deputies were dispatched to a residence on Winter Park Drive around 5 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Bates inside a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting led to the apprehension of two suspects the very next day. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced that 21-year-old Dequon Jenkins and another individual, Zaequan Newhouse, were taken into custody. Jenkins was subsequently charged with murder in connection with the death of Michael Uzell Bates. Newhouse faced a charge of accessory after the fact. Both men were booked at the Richland County Detention Center. The motive and the specific circumstances that led to the fatal shooting were not immediately made public by the authorities as the investigation continued.
