An anonymous tip to the Lancaster County Sheriff's office led to the apprehension Sunday of a murder suspect who has been wanted by authorities since September.
Michael Lamont Watts, 24, of Lancaster County, is charged with the Nov. 11, 2004, shooting death of Clifton Funderburk Jr., 27, of Pageland. The shooting took place outside Club Matrix, a private club in Pageland. Two other people were also injured during the incident.
Watts has been the subject of a national law enforcement search since failing to appear at his September trial. Watts was out on a $100,000 bail bond at the time.
After being apprehended Sunday, Watts was transferred to Chesterfield County on Monday and is being held without bond.
According to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Department, the office received a tip Sunday morning that Watts was staying at a mobile home located in Lancaster County. When Sheriff's deputies arrived at the mobile home, Watts answered the door and surrendered to authorities.
In a story published in The Lancaster News, Brenda Funderburk, the mother of the victim, said the family wanted Watts caught.
“I know it's not going to bring my son back, but we want justice,” Funderburk said. “I pray and hope he will stand trial. It was just awful, him not showing up. It was a cold-blooded murder.”
Fourth Circuit Assistant Solictior J.R. Joyner said Tuesday that he is uncertain when Watts will stand trial. Joyner said the court docket is full through June.
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