In the small town of Johnston, South Carolina, the community was shaken by the violent death of 35-year-old Ricky Martin Jr. On the night of March 2, 2024, gunshots shattered the quiet of May Street, and when the chaos subsided, Martin lay fatally wounded, having been shot multiple times. A Black male from Sumter, his life was abruptly ended, leaving behind a grieving family and a community searching for answers.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division quickly took the lead in the investigation, beginning the arduous process of piecing together the events that led to the tragic shooting.
The initial stages of the investigation moved swiftly. Just two days after the shooting, on March 4, 2024, SLED agents made their first arrest. Roscoe Pough Jr., a 37-year-old, was taken into custody and charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Investigators determined through videos, interviews, and a thorough canvass of the area that Pough had allegedly driven the suspected shooter away from the crime scene, aiding in his escape. Pough was subsequently booked into the Edgefield County Detention Center as the investigation to find the primary suspect continued.
The search for the alleged gunman extended beyond state lines. On March 20, 2024, the investigation culminated in the arrest of 37-year-old Quenell Marquis Anderson in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. With the assistance of the Maryland State Police and the Prince George's County Police Department, Anderson was apprehended and charged with the murder of Ricky Martin Jr. Following his arrest, Anderson was extradited back to South Carolina and held at the Edgefield County Detention Center before being transferred to the Newberry County Detention Center. The case is set to be prosecuted by the 11th Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Further investigation into the network of individuals involved in the aftermath of the shooting led to a third arrest on April 3, 2024. Anthony Lee Fletcher, 58, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. According to arrest warrants, Fletcher allegedly took possession of the firearm used in the shooting and was seen leaving the scene with both Anderson and Pough. His arrest underscored the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to hold all individuals accountable for their alleged roles in the events surrounding Ricky Martin Jr.'s death. Fletcher was also booked at the Edgefield County Detention Center.
