Officer fired, under investigation after allegedly helping son charged in double murder

MANNING, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) - A police officer in South Carolina has been fired after allegedly helping his son, who is charged in a double murder investigation.

Alexander Dukes Sr.’s son, Antwone Dukes, 22, was arrested on Oct. 6 and charged in the deaths of two men stemming from a shooting in a Dollar General parking lot.

Antwone Dukes was also shot, which Sumter County deputies believe was the result of a planned armed robbery.

Sumter County authorities said during the robbery investigation it was discovered that Antwone Dukes drove himself and another gunshot victim, 19-year-old Derek Parson, to his father’s home.

Alexander Dukes, a former Sumter County sheriff’s deputy who had since taken a position with the Manning Police Department, reportedly put a tourniquet on his son’s leg and told him to go to the hospital.

However, authorities said Alexander Dukes did not call 911, report the shooting, or request an ambulance.

Parson ended up dying at the hospital.

Keywaun Clark, 20, was also shot in the suspected robbery and died after crashing his vehicle into a tree near the parking lot, police said.

Filings submitted to the academy stated an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division additionally revealed incriminating text messages on Alexander Dukes phone regarding communication with his children.

“From that phone search, texts were found where officer Alexander Dukes Sr. was informing his children that he could no longer notify them of police activity such as roadblocks and traffic stops due to Sumter County encrypting their radio channel,” part of the documents read.

Alexander Dukes failed a polygraph exam as part of the investigation, officials said, and was suspended on Oct. 8.

Authorities said Alexander Dukes has since been terminated from the Manning Police Department, stating that his actions may have hindered a criminal investigation and possibly delayed care that would have saved Parson’s life.

In the termination filing, Manning police said Alexander Dukes “failed his duty and acted in a manner unbecoming of a police officer.”

As of Friday evening, Alexander Dukes was not criminally charged in the case, but the investigation remains ongoing.

Meanwhile, Antwone Dukes remained jailed at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. He was denied bond after his arrest.