Murder, dognapping suspects apprehended
Michael Dinkins. PHOTO COURTESY OF DCSO
Byron Miller. PHOTO COURTESY OF DCSO
Law enforcement officials have arrested two men who they believe were connected to the murder of 76-year-old Darlingtonian Lonnie Ray and the theft of a French Bulldog at the Kentucky Fried Chicken in Bishopville on February 6th of this year.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Michael Dinkins, 40 years old, and Byron Miller, 32 years old, for murder, attempted murder and armed robbery. Ray was shot when he and his friend, Mickey Wilkes went to the KFC to sell a French Bulldog to someone after the dog was advertised on Facebook Marketplace.
According to reports, shots were fired at Ray, Wilkes and the dog, during the incident. Ray was struck by multiple gunshots and died from his injuries. Wilkes was uninjured.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office and S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents. Because this is still an ongoing investigation, officials say more arrests are expected.
Bond has been denied and both suspects are being held at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. Anyone with any information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 803-484-5353.
