Myrtle Beach man charged with murder in death of Conway teen

A man facing a murder charge in the shooting death of a Conway woman last month was in police custody on an unrelated charge about seven hours after the slaying, but was then released from jail two days later because of insufficient evidence.

Keir Lamont Johnson, 21, of Myrtle Beach, was back in custody Thursday at J. Reuben Long Detention Center being held without bail.

He was arrested and charged with murder Thursday morning, said Sgt. Robert Kegler, spokesman for Horry County police.

Shaquielle Pertelle, 19, died Nov. 8 from a gunshot wound around 3 a.m. at a home off Highway 548 outside of Conway, Horry County Coroner Robert Edge had said.

Police arrested Johnson about 10 a.m. Nov. 8 after his girlfriend reported to police that her vehicle was missing, Kegler said.

Johnson was charged then with use of a vehicle without permission with intent to deprive, and was released from jail Nov. 10 after posting $2,500 bail.

Kegler said police believe that vehicle was at the scene of the homicide.

When police arrived at the shooting scene they discovered that someone forced open the front door and fired several gunshots, which resulted in Pertelle’s death, Kegler said.

More arrests are possible, he said.

Johnson also is facing charges from a 2009 incident when a 25-year-old pregnant woman said he assaulted and robbed her in Conway, according to a police report.

Johnson was charged with strong-armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime after that incident on Oct. 15, 2009, on the 2300 block of Williams Street of Conway.

Charges still are pending, according to the 15th Judicial Circuit’s website and State Law Enforcement Division records.

The woman told police she got out of her vehicle and a man ran up to her, hit her in the head several times with a handgun and took $7 from her before he ran away, according to the report. A witness heard the woman scream and saw the man running away.

Johnson was found in a nearby apartment and police found clothing that matched the description of what the suspect wore during the incident in the apartment, according to the report.

The woman, who was four months pregnant at the time of the assault, was taken to Conway Medical Center for treatment of cuts to her head.