The mother of a 13-year-old who fatally shot a Richland County sheriff’s K9 in December is now facing a criminal charge and a civil lawsuit.
Shameka Williams, 34, has been charged with accessory after the fact of a felony after her son pled guilty to shooting K9 Bumi on December 23. According to Sheriff Leon Lott, Williams acted as a “getaway driver” and helped hide her son after the shooting.
“She needs to be held accountable for not knowing where her 13-year-old was that night and for picking him up afterward,” Lott said. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Williams picking up her son around 3 am as he hid from deputies after killing Bumi, Police 1 reported.
A search of the 13-year-old’s home revealed shoes hidden in the attic and clothing in the washing machine, Lott stated. He urged parents to turn their children in if they call for help after committing a crime. “If you take them home and condone what they’re doing, they’re going to continue to do it,” he said.
In addition to the criminal charge, Lott announced plans to file a civil lawsuit against Williams, a move he says is unprecedented.
Under South Carolina law, parents can be sued for up to $5,000 if their child causes damage or kills a police dog. “Next week, we’re going to file a lawsuit against her,” Lott said.
Three juveniles were charged in connection with Bumi’s death. The 13-year-old, who also shot at a deputy, pled guilty to attempted murder and first-degree assault and battery. A 16-year-old pled guilty to obstruction of justice and was sentenced to 12 months of probation before being returned to Spartanburg County for unrelated charges.
A third suspect, Damien Rashawn Brown, 17, was arrested on Dec. 28 after driving a stolen vehicle and refusing to stop for deputies. Brown remains in custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center after being denied bond.
The fatal incident began around 2:30 am on December 23, when deputies spotted a stolen car near the 7400 block of Parklane Road. A chase ensued, ending in the Greenview community after deputies used a stop stick to disable the vehicle.
Two teens fled on foot while a third was detained in the car. K9 Bumi, alongside his handler Deputy Alan Ware, pursued one of the suspects. Moments later, deputies heard gunfire, and Bumi was found dead.
The 13-year-old was arrested the next day and charged with multiple offenses, including attempted murder, unlawful killing of a police dog, possession of a weapon under 18, and malicious injury to property over $10,000.
Sheriff Lott said that at least one other parent of the juveniles involved will also face charges. “This is an example of what we’re going to be doing from now on,” Lott said. “If parents are aware of their children’s actions or fail to control them, we will hold them accountable.”
Bumi was the third K9 the sheriff’s department lost in 2023.
