Yemassee man sentenced after shooting that wounded five, including kids and pregnant woman

HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - A Yemassee man who opened fire on two cars filled with people, wounding five — including two children and a pregnant woman — has been sentenced to prison.

Anthony Denzel Roberson, 23, of Gopher Lane in Hampton County, pleaded guilty this week to five counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection with an Aug. 31, 2023, shooting in Jasper County.

The gunfire began at a gas station off I- 95 at Exit 33 in Pocotaligo, an unincorporated community.

When the victims tried to drive away in two separate vehicles, shots were fired from a black pickup that followed them, forcing both vehicles off the road.

The driver of one of the vehicles and a child in the backseat were struck. One victim was taken to a hospital by a helicopter.

Roberson was scheduled to stand trial in September but chose to plead guilty instead.

He was sentenced to 15 years for each of the five attempted murders and 5 years for the gun charge.

All charges are to be served concurrently. An attempted murder conviction is not eligible for parole in South Carolina.

Roberson was scheduled to stand trial in September but instead entered guilty pleas.

Circuit Court Judge Robert Bonds sentenced him to 15 years on each of the five attempted murder charges and five years on the weapons charge.

Co-defendant, Markel Frazier, 20, of Yemassee, also faces five counts of attempted murder and a weapons charge stemming from the same incident. His case is pending, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.