UPDATE
Marquis Spencer McDonald, 20, of Conway
Marquis Spencer McDonald, 20, of Conway, the suspect wanted in the shooting death of a Coastal Carolina University student, is in police custody, according to Capt. David Knipes with Myrtle Beach police.
Anthony Liddell, 19, a sophomore, was shot in front of University Place apartments and died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
McDonald is not and never has been a student at CCU, according to the university's public affairs director, Martha Hunn.
McDonald surrendered himself to SLED and CCU police at a gas station in Conway Friday afternoon, SLED spokesperson Thom Berry said.
McDonald is charged with Murder and Possesion of a Weapon during a Violent Crime.
"One thing I do want to emphasize is the fact that this was not a random event. This was something that happened between two individuals that just happened to be on the Coastal Carolina University campus. It was a sad and tragic event but for those that are concerned about the safety of the campus itself I can assure you that this campus is safe and it's being well protected." Berry added.
According to jail records, McDonald was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center on October 8, 2012 for Possession of Other Controlled Substance, Schedule One to Five and Manufacture, Distribution, Etc. of Methamphetamine or Cocaine Base. According to the online Horry County Public Index, those charges were dismissed on November 19, 2012.
According to a criminal history obtained by WPDE NewsChannel 15 from the State Law Enforcement Division, McDonald had another arrest on March 10, 2010 for Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature. The record shows he was convicted and sentenced to six years, which was suspended to 18 months probation.
The criminal history report says McDonald is prohibited from possessing a firearm under the federal gun control act of 1968 because he has been convicted of a misdemeanor in which he could receive more than two years of confinement.
