Summerville teen denied bond in ongoing murder case

Image by Flickr user Null Value

Authorities have been piecing together a story of senseless violence that took place on Monday afternoon when, allegedly, 17-year-old Anthony Willis Jr. shot and killed 18-year-old Justin Jamal Smoot.

Witnesses report that the two Summerville teens were arguing in a parking lot on Monday around 4 p.m. The argument escalated suddenly and Smoot ran, but Willis ended the encounter by shooting Smoot in the chest with a rifle.

Dorchester County Sheriff's deputies arrested Anthony Willis Jr. on Monday evening and charged him with possession of marijuana. A bond hearing took place yesterday in which Dorchester County Magistrate Janice Y. Simmons ordered that Willis be held without bail. He is currently being held in the Dorchester County Detention Center.

To see how the case has been unfolding, take a look at News 2 Charleston's rolling updates. For a deeper look at the accused, the victim, and the families, The Post and Courier has some good coverage. News 4 Charleston has a video news report that covers all the bases, has footage from inside the bond hearing, and reactions from friends and family; watch it here.

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