A nearly non-stop investigation resulted Wednesday in the arrest of an Orangeburg man in a Monday morning shooting that left a Pador Lane man dead.

Police are seeking another suspect.

Levon Gilbert Mintz, AKA "LeLe, 20, of 3557 Kennerly Road, Orangeburg, was arrested and charged with murder.

Mintz is charged in connection with a shooting in the Grove Park Shopping Village around 2:14 a.m. Monday.

Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Investigations Capt. Mike Adams said Mintz was arrested Wednesday.

"Today, around 12:45 (p.m.), we took Lewis Gilbert Mintz into custody at a residence on Alethea Street," Adams said. "The subject was wanted in connection with the murder at The Pub Dec. 9."

Alfredo L. James Lewis, 22, of 1310 Pador Lane, Orangeburg, was pronounced dead after being transported to The Regional Medical Center. He had been shot three times at close range.

Authorities are still looking for another suspect believed to have played a part in Lewis' shooting death. Warrants for murder have been issued for Andre Gooden, 26, last known of a Myers Road address, Orangeburg.

Early Monday morning, police were dispatched to the Grove Park shopping center near The Pub in regards to an assault, possibly with a gun.

Investigators learned an altercation inside The Pub had preceded the shooting. Two separate groups of individuals had been arguing. Security personnel of the nightclub ejected one of the groups.

When the second group followed the first into the parking lot, the altercation became deadly.

Officers arrived at the scene to find several witnesses attempting to assist the victim into a vehicle. The witnesses said they were on their way to the emergency room with the victim.

Adams said police have been looking for Mintz since the brutal shooting.

Late Tuesday afternoon, officers nearly nabbed the suspect after he was spotted near Sprinkle Avenue.

"Officers with the department spotted the suspect yesterday afternoon in a vehicle which resulted in a vehicle chase," Adams said. "The suspect wrecked the vehicle into a wood pile. Orangeburg County sheriff's deputies, DPS officers, and a K-9 unit tracked him for a while, but he still managed to elude officers."

However, on Wednesday, DPS investigators received information from the OCSO concerning Mintz' whereabouts.

"We immediately acted on it and took the suspect into custody," Adams said. "We surrounded the residence. He saw us surrounding the residence, opened the door and surrendered."

No weapons were located at the Alethea Street home.

Authorities are still looking for Gooden. While cooperation between Orangeburg's law enforcement agencies has resulted in one arrest, police are now asking the public's help.

"We certainly appreciate the help we received from (OCSO) Capt. (Rene) Williams and the Central Investigative Division unit," Adams said. "We're hopeful Mr. Gooden will turn himself in. But we're prepared if he doesn't.

"We're also asking that anyone who has any information on Mr. Gooden's whereabouts call DPS or Crimestoppers."

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516.

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