Summerville, South Carolina – A Dorchester County School District Two teaching assistant and her boyfriend have been charged with giving a handgun to a 15-year-old boy, which he later used in his murder.
On July 25, Patiance Shy’torra Myles and Tristen Alan Stone were booked into the Dorchester County Jail on accusations of contributing to a minor’s delinquency and criminal conspiracy.
On July 4, officers from the Summerville Police Department and the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home after receiving reports of a male with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers discovered a 15-year-old boy dead with a firearm that his loved ones had no idea he was carrying.
The teenager’s cell phone was found at the site, and it showed that he called Myles, who is reportedly his cousin, on June 21, saying, “Ask Tristen iemme buy det other gun.” According to documents, the communication referred to acquiring a pistol from Myles’ boyfriend, Stone.
On June 25, Myles and Stone picked up the 15-year-old and drove him to an unknown home before visiting Sharon Memorial Cemetery, where the boy’s father was buried. At the cemetery, many videos and images were recorded of the boy handling two weapons, with both Myles and Stone clearly visible.
According to the warrant, before getting the pistol, the 15-year-old unsuccessfully sought to obtain a firearm from multiple others.
Other images and videos on the teenager’s phone show him handling numerous firearms prior to June 25. Only the gun, allegedly provided by Myles and Stone, was seen in images after June 25, and the youngster used it virtually every day, according to arrest warrants.
According to court records, Myles and Stone provided the pistol to a known 15-year-old who used it to commit suicide.
Myles earned a $20,000 bond for both offenses and was released from jail on July 26. Stone was released on July 27 and given a $40,000 bond on both counts.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Myles was listed as a teaching assistant at two Dorchester District Two schools: Greg Middle School and Spann Elementary.
Dorchester District Two confirmed to Live 5 that Myles was placed on administrative leave on October 1, the same day we called them.
The district issued a statement, which reads in part:
“This decision was made in accordance with district policies and procedures based on information obtained on that date.
DDTwo prioritizes the safety and well-being of its students and staff. We are committed to keeping our workforce professional and accountable, and we hold all employees to high standards of conduct.
Because this is a personnel concern, the district cannot give additional information at this time. We remain committed to providing a healthy and productive learning environment for our kids and staff.”
