BEAUFORT — Law enforcement officials identified three men they say were involved in the 2024 New Year's Day slaying of a 14-year-old boy.
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office charged Jeremiah Warren and Alex Bush for their alleged roles in the killing of Jerrieme Jermaine "L.J." Washington Jr.
Warren, 18, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and aggravated breach of peace. He was already in county custody on three charges concerning the September killing of 17-year-old Arianna Mulligan.
Bush, 20, was charged with accessory before the fact to a felony, according to the sheriff's office.
A third suspect, Nashaun Benjamin, 20, will also be charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and aggravated breach of peace. According to the sheriff's office, he is in federal custody in the Charleston County jail, according to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives spokesperson Corey Ray. Court records show he has pleaded not guilty to four federal gun and drug charges.
L.J. was killed in a drive-by shooting while he was playing video games in his living room. Investigators at the time said he was not the target of the shooting. He dreamed of playing soccer for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Days after Washington's death, Ian Leslie told the Beaufort County Council that more than 700 people attended the boy's funeral.
"L.J." was short for "Little Jerrieme," his father Jerrieme Washington said in an interview.
Washington, 41, has worked as a line cook for a Hilton Head Island restaurant for 16 years. He named his son after himself because he was his only son. If he ever had a boy, he told himself he would give him his name.
Since his son's death, Washington said he tried to bury his grief, instead throwing himself into work. He would hardly talk about L.J.'s passing, saying his discussion with The Post and Courier was the most he had spoken about it. At that point, the conversation was 10 minutes old.
Washington said he was pleased with the arrests, but as a flood of people reached out to him, he could not ignore his pain.
"I'm happy but in my mind, it don't change nothing. It's not going to bring him back," he said. "Grieving has started to hit a little harder now, being that people are reaching out."
His son was a member of the Battery Creek High School drumline. He was an active member of the Cross Community Church's youth group. He enjoyed skateboarding, and fishing.
Washington remembers the first time his son caught a fish.
"He was excited. He couldn't believe he did it. He was so happy he caught it. He reeled it in. He was afraid of it at first because it was flopping around," he said. "He loved doing it. Every day spent with him was a joy moment. Full of life, full of joy. If you were sad, he would come around and make you smile."
The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact lead investigator Sgt. Jennifer Petrone at 843-255-3440. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County.
Alan Hovorka contributed to this report.