Homeless encampments in Greenville are being terrorized by beatings for sports, sheriff’s office says Greenville News

GREENVILLE — A murder investigation has expanded into a broader probe in which the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office says a group has been terrorizing homeless camps and filming “brutal assaults” for the sport for the past nine months.

Five men have been charged in the beating, including three previously charged with murder in connection with a July 3 shooting.

Sheriff’s office investigators have identified at least five homeless people who were filmed being attacked at various camps in the Sans Souci area.

“Some of the victims identified in these attacks were knocked unconscious as the other attackers cheered them on while in possession of firearms,” ​​according to a July 28 sheriff’s office press release.

The press release said that “many victims were afraid to report the attacks for fear of retaliation” and that investigators believe there may be more than the five identified victims.

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The investigation began following the July 3 shooting of Joshua Matthew Garrett outside a home on A Street in the Poe Mill community, north of downtown Greenville. Authorities charged three men with the murder in Garrett’s death – Seth Tyler Norris, 18; Joshua Shawn Norris, 20; and Tristan Wesley Ramey, 24.

Homicide detectives used search warrants to uncover “several extremely disturbing videos of brutal attacks on the homeless,” according to the July 28 release. According to the press release, the attacks occurred between October 2021 and last June.

Seth Tyler Norris is charged with attempted murder, second-degree assault and mob assault, and conspiracy. His brother, Joshua Shawn Norris, is charged with second-degree assault and mob assault and dual criminal conspiracy.

Ramey was implicated in the attacks, but the sheriff’s office said the charges were being stayed while they search for a specific victim.

Two others have been charged with attempted murder in the attacks: David Allen Norris, 41, and Logan Alexander Holmes, 20.

If anyone has been a victim or knows someone who may have been, the Sheriff’s Office encourages them to contact 864-271-5210 or 23-CRIME.

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