Robbery attempt led to teen’s murder outside a Florence mall, warrants show

FLORENCE, S.C. (WMBF) - WMBF News obtained arrest warrants that show the moments leading up to a shooting that claimed a 15-year-old’s life.

Javon Norman and an unnamed 15-year-old boy were arrested in connection to the deadly Sunday afternoon shooting in the Magnolia Mall’s parking lot. Police are still searching for a third suspect in the case.

Norman’s arrest warrants show he and the other two suspects were seen on security footage talking to Avery McDonald and others inside the mall before the shooting.

The three suspects left the mall and walked to their car, a gold Ford Escape, and circled the parking lot before parking close to McDonald’s car, a Honda Accord.

After McDonald’s group left the mall and got in the Honda, two of the suspects were seen walking up and opening both driver’s side doors. Both suspects then showed handguns and said, “Give it up,” to try and rob McDonald and the other victims in the car, the warrants state.

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It was during this time McDonald, the driver of the car, was shot in the chest and later died at a hospital.

The two suspects got back in the Ford and left the scene. Police later found that car at Norman’s grandfather’s house.

Norman was identified as a suspect by two of the victims in the Honda.

On Tuesday, a judge denied Norman’s bond.

Florence police also confirmed that the 15-year-old charged in the case had a detention hearing and was remanded back to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia.