In the early morning hours of November 1, 2014, the life of 28-year-old Brandon Pickens, a Black male from Anderson, South Carolina, was tragically cut short. Pickens was at the Glenn Street Bar/Club in Anderson when an altercation led to a fatal shooting. He sustained a gunshot wound to his back right shoulder and, despite medical efforts, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
The incident left the community in shock and spurred an immediate investigation by the Anderson County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators quickly identified a suspect in the shooting, Clarence Jamal Tillman, 24, also known by the street name 'Lil CJ.' Warrants were issued for Tillman's arrest on charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. It was reported that Tillman had ties to Covington, Georgia, and was also wanted there on a probation violation. For a time, his whereabouts remained unknown as law enforcement actively sought information from the public to locate him.
The search for Tillman eventually led authorities to Statesboro, Georgia. In a turn of events unrelated to the murder charge, Tillman was arrested by the Statesboro Police Department following an incident where shots were fired at an apartment complex. During this arrest, he faced charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reckless conduct, and giving false information. While in custody in Georgia, the outstanding murder warrant from Anderson County for the death of Brandon Pickens remained active. Information regarding his extradition to South Carolina and the final disposition of the murder charge is not readily available in public online sources.
