5 Arrested After Fight in Hampton County

Five people were arrested after a dispute which originally involved three people that escalated to involve several more Sunday afternoon in Early Branch. The incident occurred on 736 Anna Laurel Road around 3:30 p.m.

Jason Leonard Brown, 29, of 736 Anna Laurel Road, Early Branch, was arrested and charged with simple assault and battery.
Gary Olin Necessary, 23, of 6484 Tillman Road, Ridgeland, was arrested and charged with lynching.
Benjamin Cooler, 21, of 798 Anna Laurel Road, Early Branch, was arrested and charged with lynching.
Quentin Chavis, 28, of 755 Ficken Road, Early Branch, was arrested and charged with lynching.
Harvey Caroll Cooler, no age available, of 755 Ficken Road, Early Branch, was given a citation and asked to report to court on the assigned day.

Deputies were originally dispatched to 736 Anna Laurel Road in reference to a disturbance call which originally involved a boyfriend (Jason Brown) and a girlfriend that eventually involved several family members. Several of Brown’s family members eventually made their way into his residence against his will and reportedly began to attack him. Brown and his girlfriend made their way out of the home and attempted to leave the yard in a vehicle which was abruptly stopped by a white pickup truck being driven by Harvey Cooler while trying to drive away. EMS was dispatched to the scene and two people, including Harvey and George Cooler, were transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries as a result of the altercation. EMS personnel also checked Jason Brown and determined that one of his fingers had been broken or dislocated.

Due to the number of people involved in the incident, the Hampton County Sheriff’s Office received assistance from a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources officer as well as an officer from the Yemassee Police Department. Sheriff Smalls wished to thank the agencies for their assistance on the call.

Brown had a bond hearing late Monday afternoon and received a $1,092 personal recognizance bond and will return to magistrate’s court for a court date on April 13 at 10a.m.

A bond hearing was held at 9a.m. Tuesday at magistrate’s court for the remaining four arrested during the incident. Each received a $5,000 personal recognizance bond from Judge Carolyn Williams and will appear in General Sessions Court on June 26 at 9:30 a.m.