Shia Lee, a 35-year-old resident of Burlington, North Carolina, has admitted guilt in a federal court to brandishing a firearm during the armed carjacking of an off-duty South Carolina police detective and his wife. The incident occurred on December 19, 2020, as the couple traveled on Interstate 26 near Orangeburg.
Court evidence detailed that the couple had stopped their vehicle to switch drivers when Lee approached them. He demanded the car from the driver's side and threatened the woman with a firearm when she resisted. Complying under duress, she exited the vehicle. Lee then pointed the weapon at her husband, who was seated in the passenger seat and identified it as either a 9mm or .380 caliber pistol. After forcing him out as well, Lee drove away in their Jeep Cherokee, taking with him the officer's duty weapon and badge.
The following day, authorities received reports of another vehicle theft at a gas station in Branchville. This led to Lee's arrest after a pursuit by Denmark Police Department officers using stop sticks. The stolen Jeep was later found abandoned; meanwhile, Lee's own car was discovered at the initial rest stop by Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office with another firearm and his identification inside.
The victims identified Lee from a photo lineup. He confessed his involvement to deputies from Orangeburg County. Subsequently, he was indicted by a federal grand jury for carjacking and brandishing a firearm related to violent crime.
Lee could face life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years if convicted. Additionally, he may be fined up to $250,000 and required to pay restitution for any damages suffered by the victims. His sentencing will be determined by United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis following review of a report from the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The FBI Columbia Field Office spearheaded this investigation alongside Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office and Denmark Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott B. Daniels is leading prosecution efforts.
