From staff reports
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has made two arrests in connection with the January 2024 murder of 14-year-old Jerrieme Jermaine “L.J.” Washington, a Battery Creek High School freshman who was killed at his home on New Year’s Day.
Sheriff’s Office Investigators obtained and served arrest warrants on 18-year-old Jeremiah Warren and 20-year-old Alex Bush. Both subjects were charged for their involvement in the murder that occurred on Castle Rock Road in the Burton area of Beaufort County back in 2024.
On Thursday May 15, Jeremiah Warren was charged with Murder, Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime, and Aggravated Breach of Peace. Warren was already in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center on another charge of Murder in connection to a September 2024 shooting that occurred at Magnolia Park Apartments in Burton and took the life of 17-year-old Arianna Mulligan.
On May 10, 2025, Alex Bush was charged with Accessory Before the Fact to a Felony.
Nashaun Benjamin, 20, is also named as a suspect in the Castle Rock Road shooting. He is currently in Federal Custody on Weapon charges, but he will also be charged for Murder, Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime, and Aggravated Breach of Peace.
In 2024, deputies arrived at Washington’s home on Castle Rock Road after 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, where they found Washington suffering from a gunshot wound.
Life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and he died at the scene, according to an alert sent out by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSD) on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Washington was playing video games inside of his home when gunfire erupted from the roadway, according to the alert, and struck the home and a vehicle that was parked in the driveway.
The two other people inside of the home when the shooting occurred were not injured.
This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact lead investigator Sgt. Jennifer Petrone at 843-255-3440. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app, online at www.TIPSBFT.com, or by calling 1-844-TIPSBFT (1-844-847-7238).
