Released by Solicitor Barry Barnette.
A Jonesville man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a fatal shooting.
Robert Anthony Owens, 30, pleaded guilty today to voluntary manslaughter. Owens will serve 85 percent of Circuit Judge Mark Hayes’ prison sentence before he is eligible for release.
Owens shot Antuwan Shippy, 21, of Pacolet, to death on Feb. 7, 2019. Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputies and Pacolet police responded to Dogwood Circle about 9:45 p.m. in reference to a shooting. Investigators learned Shippy was driven to a local emergency service substation before being rushed to Spartanburg Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound to this groin. Witnesses at the crime scene named Owens as the shooter.
Investigators located Owens at a Union County home a short time after the shooting. Owens had 2 guns in his possession when he was taken into custody, one gun had Shippy’s DNA on it.
“I am grateful for the wonderful teamwork shown by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Pacolet Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and SLED that will bring closure and justice for Mr. Shippy’s family,” Assistant Solicitor Eddie Hunter said.
Owens’ prior criminal record included convictions for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, failure to stop for a blue light and siren and second-degree assault & battery.
For more information, contact Murray Glenn at 809-4892 or mglenn@spartanburgcounty.org.
