Advisory
On Saturday, October 16, 2021, Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a Brickyard Point Road North, Lady’s Island home to a report of a gunshot victim.
When deputies arrived, they found an adult male deceased inside the residence.
It was apparent the man, identified as 47-year-old Laventis Cohen of St. Helena Island, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, which was later confirmed through autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina.
A person of interest in the shooting, 29-year-old Brittany Smalls, was found at the scene and provided a story of how the shooting transpired.
The Crime Scene Unit processed the scene for forensic evidence, while investigators continued to interview Smalls and other witnesses.
Through those interviews, investigators identified a second person of interest in the shooting, 21-year-old William Johnson III of St. Helena Island.
Smalls, who resides at the Lady's Island home where the shooting occurred, was not charged at the time of the initial investigation; Johnson III was not immediately located.
Throughout the week, investigators continued to evaluate evidence found at the crime scene and interview additional witnesses.
Investigators learned that following the shooting, Johnson III fled to Augusta, Georgia.
When they ran a check on Johnson III through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), investigators discovered he was wanted by Georgia law enforcement authorities on unrelated assault charges.
Investigators reached out to Richmond County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office deputies and advised them that Johnson III was a person of interest in Cohen’s murder.
On Thursday night, October 21, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the United States Marshals Service located Johnson III and took him into custody on the active warrants from Georgia.
Johnson III was taken to the Richmond County Detention Center and incarcerated.
Investigators listed Johnson III in the NCIC as wanted in Cohen's murder; he will be held at the Richmond County Detention Center while awaiting extradition to Beaufort County.
This morning, October 23, investigators located Smalls at a residence on St. Helena Island and took her into custody on the three arrest warrants.
Smalls was transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated; she has yet to receive a bond hearing.
Anyone who has information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Sergeant J.D. Tunis at 843-255-3426 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111, if wishing to remain anonymous and for possible reward.
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office appreciates your partnership in the safety of our community.
Man and woman arrested in the October 16, 2021 shooting death of Laventis Cohen on Lady's Island
On Friday, warrants were obtained by Sheriff's Office investigators for the arrests of William Johnson III and Brittany Smalls in connection with last Saturday's shooting death of Laventis Cohen on Lady’s Island; both have been taken into custody.
Case History
On Saturday, October 16, 2021, Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a Brickyard Point Road North, Lady’s Island home to a report of a gunshot victim.
When deputies arrived, they found an adult male deceased inside the residence.
It was apparent the man, identified as 47-year-old Laventis Cohen of St. Helena Island, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, which was later confirmed through autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Investigation
A person of interest in the shooting, 29-year-old Brittany Smalls, was found at the scene and provided a story of how the shooting transpired.
The Crime Scene Unit processed the scene for forensic evidence, while investigators continued to interview Smalls and other witnesses.
Through those interviews, investigators identified a second person of interest in the shooting, 21-year-old William Johnson III of St. Helena Island.
Smalls, who resides at the Lady's Island home where the shooting occurred, was not charged at the time of the initial investigation; Johnson III was not immediately located.
Throughout the week, investigators continued to evaluate evidence found at the crime scene and interview additional witnesses.
Investigators learned that following the shooting, Johnson III fled to Augusta, Georgia.
When they ran a check on Johnson III through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), investigators discovered he was wanted by Georgia law enforcement authorities on unrelated assault charges.
Investigators reached out to Richmond County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office deputies and advised them that Johnson III was a person of interest in Cohen’s murder.
On Thursday night, October 21, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the United States Marshals Service located Johnson III and took him into custody on the active warrants from Georgia.
Johnson III was taken to the Richmond County Detention Center and incarcerated.
Obtaining of Arrest Warrants
Friday morning, October 22, investigators met with a Beaufort County magistrate and obtained warrants for the arrests of Johnson III and Smalls for Murder, Obstruction of Justice and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime in connection with Cohen’s shooting death.Arrests of Johnson III and Smalls
Investigators listed Johnson III in the NCIC as wanted in Cohen's murder; he will be held at the Richmond County Detention Center while awaiting extradition to Beaufort County.
This morning, October 23, investigators located Smalls at a residence on St. Helena Island and took her into custody on the three arrest warrants.
Smalls was transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated; she has yet to receive a bond hearing.
Anyone who has information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Sergeant J.D. Tunis at 843-255-3426 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111, if wishing to remain anonymous and for possible reward.
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office appreciates your partnership in the safety of our community.
Address/Location
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
2001 Duke St
Beaufort, SC 29902
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 843-255-3200