ONLY ON WIS: Father of man killed in Richland County shootout questions investigation

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The father of 18-year-old Qwa’Maurie Deaver says he still has questions for Richland County investigators after Sheriff Leon Lott released new details about a deadly deputy-involved shootout in the Summit community.

Deaver was killed June 4 after deputies said they were fired on while tracking suspects connected to two earlier shootings into homes. Lott said investigators believe Deaver was one of multiple shooters involved that morning.

In an exclusive interview with WIS, Deaver’s father, Javier Dykes, said he is not defending gun violence, but he believes investigators still need to provide more answers about the evidence connecting his son to the shootings and about what happened in the moments before deputies and the group in the backyard exchanged gunfire.

“I need some questions answered,” Dykes said. “It’s just not a good thing and it’s, to me right now, it’s past feelings. I need answers.”

According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the investigation began with a shooting into a home on Sagamore Road. Lott said a second shooting later happened at a home on Spring Oak Lane. No one was hurt in those shootings, but homes and vehicles were hit by gunfire.

Deputies said K-9 units then tracked from the second scene to a backyard on Legends Oaks Drive, where they encountered several people. Lott said deputies identified themselves before the group opened fire.

During a Friday press conference, Lott played body camera video and said there was “no doubt” the people in the backyard knew they were shooting at deputies.

“All right, you heard it twice, Sheriff’s Department, put your hands up, twice,” Lott said during the press conference. “So there was no doubt when they were shooting who they were shooting at.”

Dykes said after reviewing the body camera video, he does not believe deputies clearly identified themselves before shots were fired.

“I slowed it down because he kept saying and he kept insisting that they identified themselves,” Dykes said. “And as you could hear, fast, slow, whatever it is, they did not identify themselves.”

Dykes said he also wants to know whether additional body camera video exists from another deputy who responded that night. As of now, the sheriff’s department has not publicly released a third body camera angle from the initial encounter.

“I’m not defending the kids, and I’m not defending Richland County,” Dykes said. “I’m not defending none of them, but the actual proof is there.”

At Friday’s press conference, Lott said investigators have identified five people connected to what he called “Team A,” one of two groups investigators believe were involved in the shootings.

Lott said three people have been arrested, one person is deceased and one person is still wanted.

The sheriff’s department identified the wanted suspect as 21-year-old Tyjae Miller. Lott said Miller is expected to face three counts of attempted murder.

The three people already arrested are accused of three counts of attempted murder, aggravated breach of peace and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Lott said investigators have recovered more than 200 shell casings and seized nearly 20 guns in connection with the investigation.

“This is a massive crime scene with lots of locations, lots of stuff that we had to process,” Lott said.

Lott also said Deaver was shot and killed by Deputy Abdullah. The sheriff said investigators recovered a bag containing two of Deaver’s phones, his driver’s license and three guns. Lott said one of those guns was used in the shooting.

Dykes said he still has questions about how investigators connected that bag and those weapons to his son.

“He’s the one that’s dead,” Dykes said. “He cannot come back and say his part.”

Dykes said he wants to know whether there is forensic evidence showing his son fired a weapon.

“You said the ballistics. You said that your bullet killed my son,” Dykes said. “So my question is, now, was there gunpowder on his hand?”

Dykes previously told WIS that, to his knowledge, Deaver had stopped by the area to see friends. He said his son had recently graduated from Ridge View High School and had plans for his future.

At the same time, Dykes said he does not want young people to ignore the danger of being around the wrong people or being in the wrong place when violence breaks out.

“When I was at his service, that’s what I did,” Dykes said. “I told all the kids, I say, you know, let’s make better choices. Pick your friends better. Look at your situations.”

Dykes said his message to teens and young adults is to put the guns down.

“Number one, it’s not worth it,” Dykes said. “If you’re upset or you can’t get things happening, guns are not the answer because you can’t get an answer out of a dead person. You can’t get an apology out of a dead person.”

He said he grew up around guns and was taught they were not something to use in anger.

“When that bullet comes out, you cannot call it back,” Dykes said. “You can’t run faster than it. You’re not going to beat it to its destination. You cannot stop it.”

Dykes said he is now looking into legal representation to help get answers about the investigation. He also said he wants to find ways to be part of the fight against gun violence.

“I think we just take the guns, put it down,” Dykes said. “It’s for protection. It ain’t for you running the streets and trying to be the wild, wild west. It’s not for that.”

Lott said more arrests are expected as the investigation continues, including possible charges against parents or other adults who may have helped suspects or helped them avoid law enforcement.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 803-576-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

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