James Edward Person

Steven Dewayne Simmons

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An attempted murder suspect eluded police last week following a multi-agency search.
Barnwell police officers and Barnwell County sheriff's deputies joined forces Jan. 23 to set up a perimeter around several neighborhoods behind the Huddle House on Dunbarton Boulevard after a deputy spotted James Edward Person at a residence.
Person is one of two suspects wanted in connection to a shooting at the Jimbo's convenience store Jan. 29, 2012, that sent one man to the hospital.
"We tried to corner him in," said Barnwell Police Chief Todd Gantt.
The Barnwell County Sheriff's Office's dog team had a "positive trail for a long time," but eventually lost it. "It's hard to keep a positive trail due to contamination," said Barnwell County Sheriff Ed Carroll.
About an hour and a half into the search, Person was reported to be in the Patterson Mill Road area, but was not apprehended. "It was not successful," said Carroll.
"We'll get him sooner or later," added Gantt.
Person is described as a 46-year-old black male, approximately 5-foot nine-inches tall, weighing 190 pounds. His alleged accomplice in the shooting, Steven Dewayne Simmons, 29, of 12 Carroll St., Blackville, is described as a 5-foot-7-inch black male, weighing 145 pounds, according to authorities following the shooting.
Both Person and Simmons have warrants for attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Anyone with information on the location of Person and Simmons should call the Barnwell Police Department at (803) 259-1838 or dial 911.