Johnny Wayne Martin Cook, 21, fatally shot in Fort Mill, South Carolina

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Police: 21-year-old man killed in Fort Mill park robbery; two teens charged

FORT MILL, S.C. (DailyKenn.com) — A 21-year-old man from Chester, South Carolina, was shot and killed during a robbery at a Fort Mill park last month. It was the town's first homicide of 2025 and led to the arrests of two teenagers on murder charges.

Johnny Wayne Martin Cook was found unresponsive around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 at Steele Street Park, a residential green space off S.C. 160 on the eastern edge of Fort Mill. The community is among South Carolina's fastest-growing areas between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Rock Hill.

Officers responding to reports of gunfire discovered Cook suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said the shooting stemmed from an attempted robbery in which the suspects targeted Cook for a gun.

Fort Mill police arrested 18-year-old Jalen Daquavious Thames of Rock Hill and a 13-year-old juvenile on Sept. 9. Both face charges of murder, armed robbery, possession of a stolen gun and conspiracy.

Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek to try the younger suspect as an adult.

Under South Carolina law, an adult murder conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison, up to life. A juvenile convicted in family court can be held until age 22.

Cook, who some reports listed as residing in nearby Rock Hill, was remembered in an online obituary as someone whose life ended far too soon. No public memorial details were immediately available.

The arrests come amid a rising trend of teen gun violence in South Carolina. Recent cases in Florence County involved young suspects in homicides over minor disputes or botched robberies.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Fort Mill police Detective Aycock at 803-548-9368 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of York County at 877-409-4321.