Batesburg, January 15, 2026
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office has made key advancements in the investigation of the shooting death of 20-year-old Jatavious Harris. Three additional suspects have been identified and arrested. Antavis Jaryan Pickens faces multiple charges including murder, while two others have warrants issued against them for related crimes. The investigation continues to highlight the importance of community involvement in solving such cases.
Batesburg
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office has announced significant developments in the 2023 shooting death of 20-year-old Jatavious Harris, identifying and making additional arrests in the ongoing murder investigation. Three more individuals are now facing charges in connection with the homicide, marking a crucial advancement in the case that began over two years ago.
Three More Individuals Face Charges in 2023 Batesburg Murder
Investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office have apprehended one suspect and secured warrants for two others. Antavis Jaryan Pickens, a 22-year-old Monetta resident, has been arrested and charged with murder, four counts of attempted murder, and weapon offenses. Pickens was taken into custody with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Carolina Fugitive Task Force and is currently being held at the Aiken County Detention Center.
Furthermore, warrants have been obtained for 27-year-old Omarious Jawan Todman of Monetta, who faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and weapon offenses. A third individual, 24-year-old Daniel Timothy Harris, also from Monetta, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Both Todman and Daniel Timothy Harris are presently incarcerated in Lexington County and are expected to be transferred to Aiken County at a later date to face their respective charges.
Details of the Ongoing Investigation
The initial investigation commenced on July 17, 2023, when deputies responded to reports of a shooting at 820 Old 96 Indian Trail in Batesburg. Upon arrival, they discovered Jatavious Harris deceased on the floor of a home. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office previously made an arrest in October 2023, charging Jquan Kentrall Bowers, a Monetta resident, with murder, four counts of attempted murder, and multiple weapon offenses. Bowers remains in custody at the Aiken County Detention Center.
Authorities have emphasized their persistent efforts in this case, stating that investigators have “continued to work tirelessly.” They also highlighted the importance of community involvement, noting that “community assistance is vital in any investigation.” The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage anyone with further information regarding the shooting to contact their office.
State-level Crime Trends in South Carolina
These recent arrests occur within the broader context of evolving crime statistics across South Carolina. The state’s violent crime rate experienced a decrease of 5.8% from 2022 to 2023, marking the third consecutive year of decline. Similarly, the murder rate in South Carolina decreased by 5.9% from 2022 to 2023, with the overall number of murders seeing a 4.3% reduction.
Further reductions in crime rates were observed in other categories for South Carolina from 2022 to 2023, including sexual battery, which decreased by 8.8%; robbery, which saw a 3.3% decrease; and aggravated assault, which fell by 5.7%. Property crime in South Carolina also declined by 6.1% during the same period, representing the twelfth consecutive yearly decrease. However, Weapon Law Violations in South Carolina increased by 1.8% from 2022 to 2023, continuing a ten-year trend of increases.
Preliminary data for 2024 indicates a continuation of these downward trends, with the South Carolina violent crime rate dropping by 8.4% from 2023 to 2024 and the murder rate decreasing by 15.8% over the same period. Despite these improvements, South Carolina ranked tenth among states for high violent crime rates in 2024, with 437 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 1,966 property crimes per 100,000 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest development in the Batesburg murder case from 2023?
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office has made additional arrests and identified more individuals in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 20-year-old Jatavious Harris.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Batesburg murder case?
Antavis Jaryan Pickens, 22, of Monetta, has been arrested and charged with murder, four counts of attempted murder, and weapon offenses.
Who else has warrants issued for their arrest in this case?
Warrants have been secured for Omarious Jawan Todman, 27, of Monetta, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and weapon offenses, and Daniel Timothy Harris, 24, of Monetta, charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
When did the Batesburg murder originally occur?
The investigation began on July 17, 2023, after Jatavious Harris was found deceased following a shooting incident at 820 Old 96 Indian Trail in Batesburg.
Was anyone previously arrested in this case?
Yes, Jquan Kentrall Bowers of Monetta was previously arrested in October 2023 and charged with murder, four counts of attempted murder, and multiple weapon offenses.
What are the current crime trends in South Carolina (State-level)?
The South Carolina violent crime rate decreased by 5.8% from 2022 to 2023, and the murder rate decreased by 5.9% in the same period. Preliminary 2024 data shows further decreases, with violent crime down 8.4% and murders down 15.8% from 2023 to 2024.
Key Features of the Batesburg Murder Investigation and South Carolina Crime Trends
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | Jatavious Harris, 20 years old | Local |
| Original Incident Date | July 17, 2023 | Local |
| Location | 820 Old 96 Indian Trail, Batesburg, Aiken County, South Carolina | Local |
| Previously Arrested | Jquan Kentrall Bowers (Monetta) in October 2023 | Local |
| Recently Arrested | Antavis Jaryan Pickens, 22 (Monetta) | Local |
| Warrants Issued For | Omarious Jawan Todman, 27 (Monetta) and Daniel Timothy Harris, 24 (Monetta) | Local |
| Charges (Pickens, Todman) | Murder, four counts of attempted murder, weapon offenses | Local |
| Charges (Daniel T. Harris) | Accessory after the fact to murder | Local |
| SC Violent Crime Rate (2022-2023) | Decreased by 5.8% | State-level |
| SC Murder Rate (2022-2023) | Decreased by 5.9% | State-level |
| SC Violent Crime Rate (2023-2024) | Decreased by 8.4% | State-level |
| SC Murder Rate (2023-2024) | Decreased by 15.8% | State-level |
| SC Ranking for High Violent Crime (2024) | Tenth among states | Nationwide |
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