Marley Lion was sleeping in his car when two men approached his vehicle early Saturday morning, according to a Charleston Police Department incident report. The 17-year-old recent graduate of Academic Magnet High School later died after reportedly being shot by one of the men.

When an officer arrived on the scene on Saturday after the shooting, Lion was found on the ground. The 17 year old was injured but still conscious. He stated that he had pulled into the parking lot at 1662 Savannah Hwy. to sleep because he was “too intoxicated to drive home.” Lion was awoken when the two men reportedly triggered his car’s alarm, according to a Crime Stoppers report. Marley also told police he was shot five times.

So far, no arrests have been made, but the suspects were described as two black males. According to the Crime Stoppers report sent out by the CPD, the alleged shooter approached Marley’s vehicle from the direction of Yew and Evergreen streets.

On June 4, Lion was charged with simple possession of marijuana following an incident at the Riverland Terrace boat landing. A Charleston County Sheriff’s Office deputy reportedly noticed an individual “standing near the driver side door” of Lion’s white Nissan Pathfinder. Lion was sitting in the driver seat. An unnamed individual was sitting in the passenger seat.

The officer smelled what appeared to be marijuana smoke and asked Lion about the source of the smell. The 17 year old “admitted to being in possession of marijuana as well as other drug paraphernalia.” A jar was recovered by the officer containing nearly an ounce of “green, plant-like material, which presumptively tested for marijuana.” A glass pipe, a metal grinder, a pack of rolling papers, and two lighters were also taken.

Lion is not the only Charleston County School District student to recently pass. Antoinette Ross died in an automobile accident a few weeks ago. “This is the second time since the school year ended where we lost a student to an untimely tragedy,” Jason Sakran, a CCSC spokesman, said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ross and Lion families during these difficult times. Both Antoinette and Marley were well liked and had bright futures. They will be missed. These tragedies remind us how precious life is.”

If you have any information regarding the murder of Marley Lion, please contact Crime Stoppers at 554-1111 or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or on the web at www.5541111.com. Texters can send anonymous tips to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with “tip213.”

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