Fourth Arrest Made in Connection to South of the Border Fatal Shooting of Patricia Hayes Britt
Dillon County, SC – Authorities in Dillon County have confirmed a fourth arrest in the ongoing investigation of the tragic and senseless shooting that claimed the life of 61-year-old Patricia Hayes Britt, of the Blenheim area in Marlboro County. The latest suspect, Ja’Heem Antwan Pernell, 19, of Hamer, was taken into custody on the evening of June 27th.
Pernell now faces multiple serious charges, including:
- Armed Robbery
- Murder
- Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
He was arrested at approximately 4:30 p.m. at Rosewood Apartments in the City of Dillon, alongside 22-year-old Aaliyah Antwan Priest, also of Hamer. Priest has been charged with Armed Robbery and Murder in connection with the deadly incident.
Timeline of the Incident
The incident occurred on June 26, 2025, at approximately 2:47 p.m., when Dillon County deputies responded to a report of a shooting at the Pantry West convenience store, located at the South of the Border tourist complex. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a female victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Tragically, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The victim was later identified as Patricia Hayes Britt, a respected member of the Blenheim community.
In the hours following the shooting, Detectives from the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office launched an intensive investigation that quickly began yielding results.
Arrests and Charges
- Tina Rebecca Pernell, 39, of Hamer, was arrested shortly after the incident. Initially charged with Accessory After the Fact of Murder, she has since also been charged with Accessory Before the Fact of Murder following additional investigation.
- Monika Alexis Lee, 24, of Dillon, was later arrested and charged with Accessory After the Fact of Murder.
- The latest arrests of Ja’Heem Antwan Pernell and Aaliyah Antwan Priest now bring the total number of individuals arrested in the case to four. All are currently being held in the Dillon County Detention Center pending bond hearings.
Community Support and Ongoing Investigation
Dillon County Sheriff Douglas “DJ” Hamilton expressed deep condolences to the family of Patricia Hayes Britt and emphasized that this act of violence has deeply affected the entire community.
“This is a senseless crime that has taken the life of a beloved member of our neighboring community,” said Sheriff Hamilton. “We are determined to bring every individual involved to justice. I thank the hard-working deputies, detectives, and partnering agencies who have worked around the clock to make swift arrests in this heartbreaking case.”
The Sheriff extended special gratitude to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Dillon County E911 Dispatchers, and the Dillon City Police Department for their invaluable assistance. He also recognized the staff at South of the Border for their cooperation during the investigation and thanked the local community for their support and information that has helped advance the case.
How to Help
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and authorities are asking for the public’s continued assistance. If you have any information that may help, you are urged to contact:
- Detective Ryan Bethea at Central Dispatch: 843-841-3707
- Detective Troy Jones
- Or send a message via the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page
Callers and tipsters may remain anonymous.
Final Words
As the legal process unfolds and more details come to light, the focus remains on achieving justice for Mrs. Patricia Hayes Britt, whose life was taken far too soon. Sheriff Hamilton is asking the community to continue supporting one another and keep the Britt family in their thoughts and prayers.
“Please continue to pray for the family of Mrs. Patricia Hayes Britt,” Sheriff Hamilton said. “They have suffered a tremendous loss, and we must stand together as a community to support them through this difficult time.”