Orangeburg County, South Carolina, saw a breakthrough in a homicide investigation this weekend as two teenage suspects voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement. The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday that 17-year-old Dylan Creech and 18-year-old Jer’Marion Lee are now in custody, following a manhunt that began after a deadly incident on Felder Street on July 30. The pair turned themselves in Saturday morning, according to Sheriff Leroy Ravenell, who praised the community and media for helping spread the word. “I want to thank the community for the support and our partners in the media for getting this out,” Ravenell said. “The streets are safer as of today.”

Creech and Lee are charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, discharging a firearm into a vehicle, and criminal conspiracy. The charges stem from the July 30 incident, though authorities have not released specific details about what occurred on Felder Street. The investigation remains active, and detectives continue to gather evidence. A court appearance for the two suspects has not yet been scheduled, the sheriff’s office noted.

The case took a dramatic turn earlier when a third suspect, 20-year-old Ja’Sean Fritz, was killed in a confrontation with deputies. That incident occurred Thursday in neighboring Richland County, where deputies attempted to stop a vehicle leading to a chase. The pursuit ended in a shootout, leaving Fritz dead. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is handling that portion of the investigation separately. Ravenell’s remarks about safer streets were a direct reference to Fritz’s death, underscoring the risks involved in the search for the remaining suspects.

Orangeburg County, a rural area in the central part of the state, has seen its share of violent crime, but this case drew particular attention due to the ages of the suspects and the fatal encounter with law enforcement. The community had been on edge since the July 30 homicide, with deputies actively seeking leads. The surrender of Creech and Lee marks a significant step toward closure for the victim’s family, though the legal process is just beginning.

Both Creech and Lee are being held at the Orangeburg County Detention Center. Their attorneys have not yet commented publicly. The sheriff’s office encourages anyone with additional information about the case to come forward. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine if any other individuals were involved in the July 30 incident. The case remains a priority for the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, which has pledged to keep the public informed as developments occur.