Stephen Carter was an 18-year-old White man from Lancaster, South Carolina, described by those who knew him as a genuine person who would help anyone. He worked in management at Allied Pest Control and loved rap music, football, and his brothers. According to his family, who said he had a "good heart," Stephen was just beginning to get his life on track when it was tragically cut short.
On the night of Friday, March 22, 2024, Stephen went outside his home on Zion Road for what
investigators believe was a pre-arranged meeting to buy a firearm. Instead, he was shot and robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash. Around 11:15 p.m., family members heard a gunshot, rushed outside to look for him, and found him lying on the ground across the road.
Stephen’s mother, Brandy Patterson, was by his side in his final moments, and his last words to her were, “I love you momma.” Paramedics arrived and began treating him, but he died from the gunshot wound. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office determined the incident was not random and quickly identified persons of interest.
The investigation led to two arrests within days. On Sunday night, police arrested 17-year-old Ny’Jeri Izay Patterson, who they believe had arranged the meeting. The following night, authorities arrested a second suspect, 25-year-old Kenneth Jamarri Mitchell Jr., who was identified as the owner and driver of the gray sedan used as the getaway car.
Ny’Jeri Patterson was charged as an adult with murder, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Kenneth Mitchell was charged with murder and armed robbery for his alleged role. Ny'Jeri Patterson was subsequently tried by a jury and convicted of murder in connection with Stephen Carter’s death.
