Alleged shooter in Magnolia Mall killing held without bond; police release image of third suspect

Adam Benson
·2 min read
6

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — An 18-year-old suspect charged in Sunday’s killing of a Sellers teen in the parking lot of a Florence mall was being held without bond on Tuesday.

Javon Norman made an initial court appearance before Administrative Judge Debra Jackson. No bond was set on the murder and armed robbery charges, but Norman was given a $200,000 bond on each count of criminal conspiracy and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Bond on the murder and armed robbery charges will be determined by a circuit court judge. No date for that hearing has been set, according to court records.

Norman and an unnamed 15-year-old both face murder charges in the Sunday shooting death of Avery S. McDonald, 15, at the Magnolia Mall.

Fourth Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements told News13 on Tuesday evening that no decision has been made on whether or not the 15-year-old will be tried as an adult, but he said they’re “considering options.”

Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken said an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Police said hours after the shooting that McDonald had been “targeted.” Investigators revealed two people wearing masks approached the victim’s vehicle, with at least one of them firing an “unknown” number of shots.

Heidler said McDonald “succumbed” to injuries despite efforts by a Florence County sheriff’s deputy and EMS crews to save his life.

Authorities got to the mall around 3 p.m., and city police, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol units worked quickly to secure the building and evacuate all patrons.

A third suspect is still wanted in the shooting, police said. If anyone has any information about this incident, they are asked to contact Lcpl. Leggett at dleggett@cityofflorence.com or via telephone at 843-665-3191.

The public is also able to leave a tip about this case by accessing the tip submission form at the following link: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfFlorence/CrimeTips.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13’s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylor’s work here.

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