A police officer in South Carolina has been dismissed from his position amid allegations that he provided assistance to his son in the aftermath of a deadly shooting incident. Alexander Dukes Sr., formerly of the Manning Police Department, was removed from his role shortly after his son, 22-year-old Antwone Dukes, faced charges related to the double homicide of two young men.
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The dismissal came on the heels of Antwone Dukes’ arrest on October 6, following a shooting at a Dollar General store in Sumter County. Local police authorities reported that the incident was believed to stem from a planned armed robbery. Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner, addressing the media in a subsequent press conference, indicated that Antwone had met one of the victims, 20-year-old Keywaun Clark, with the intention of robbing him of gun switches.
The grim series of events unfolded when Antwone allegedly shot both Clark and a second victim, 19-year-old Derek Parson, during the confrontation. In the chaos, Dukes himself was shot in the leg, leading him to drive both himself and Parson to his father’s home after the shooting. Tragically, Clark died as a result of his injuries when his vehicle crashed into a tree, while Parson later succumbed to his wounds in hospital.
Following the shooting, police investigations revealed that Alexander Dukes Sr., a former deputy sheriff for Sumter County, assisted his son by treating his injuries at their home. Instead of calling emergency services or reporting the shooting, he allegedly applied a tourniquet to Antwone’s leg and advised him to seek further medical attention independently.
Text messages retrieved from the elder Dukes’ phone revealed disturbing patterns of communication, suggesting he had previously warned his children about police activities in the area. Investigators noted that these texts indicated he had informed his children he could no longer provide such alerts, due to a change in the encryption of Sumter County’s police radio channels.
In the wake of these findings, the Manning Police Department took decisive action. They suspended Alexander Dukes Sr. on October 8, just two days following his son’s arrest, and ultimately terminated his employment. A spokesperson for the city confirmed his dismissal but declined to provide further comment on the matter.
Local reports highlighted the seriousness of the allegations against the former officer, stating that he allegedly interfered with a criminal investigation and delayed medical care that could have been critical in saving Parson’s life. Although he has not yet been formally charged with a crime, the police department categorised his actions as “unbecoming of a police officer,” and indicated that he had failed in his duty as a law enforcement officer.
The ongoing investigation into the shooting incident and the elder Dukes’ actions has sparked significant media attention, raising concerns about the conduct of law enforcement and the implications of familial ties within the force. As the case progresses, local authorities continue to examine the mobile communications and circumstances surrounding the tragedy, in hopes of bringing clarity to the events that unfolded that fateful day.
Community members and family members of the victims are grappling with the fallout from the shooting, which has left a lasting impact on the local area. The situation underscores the critical importance of accountability and ethical standards within law enforcement agencies and the potential consequences of their breaches.
As this case develops, residents will no doubt be watching closely, eager for justice and answers in a situation that has reverberated far beyond the immediate tragedy. The unfolding story serves as a reminder of the complex interactions between familial loyalty and professional responsibility, particularly within the realm of public service.