FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2000

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

HIGHWAY PATROL BRINGS CHARGES IN SUNSHINE CASE

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Highway Patrol today announced that two people have been charged in connection with the Sept. 30 hit and run death of Columbia dentist Dr. Harry Sunshine. Tshona Gaymon, 29, and Charles Outlaw, 32, have been charged in connection with the case.

Gaymon, whose last known Columbia address was West Winds Apartments, is currently being held in the Atlanta, Ga., city jail on probation violations. Gaymon is charged with two felony counts: leaving the scene of an accident involving a death, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, and reckless homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Outlaw, whose last known Columbia address was the same as Gaymon’s, has been charged with failure to report a collision involving his vehicle, which is a misdemeanor.

"Our hope is that Dr. Sunshine’s family and friends may now be able to achieve some closure in dealing with his tragic death," said Highway Patrol Col. Ralph Mobley.

The charges are the result of an intense investigation of Sunshine’s death conducted by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the State Law Enforcement Division.

In the early morning hours on Saturday, September 30, Sunshine was riding his bicycle north along Two Notch Road near Polo Road when a car struck his bike from behind. Sunshine was wearing a helmet and reflective vest, and his bike was equipped with a headlight and taillight. A passing motorist saw Sunshine and called for an ambulance. Sunshine died of a broken neck at about 10:30 a.m. that same day.

Small portions of an automobile found at the scene linked Sunshine’s hit-and-run death to a Lexus GS-300 manufactured sometime between 1993 and 1996. Teams of investigators from the Highway Patrol and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office checked out owners of all Lexus 300 models from those years registered in Richland County. They also contacted automobile dealerships, body shops and garages during the investigation to determine whether any cars matching the description of the one they were seeking had undergone any repairs to the right front portion of the car. They also joined Sunshine’s friends and family in making numerous pleas to the public to come forward with any information that might be relevant to the investigation.

JB/139/00

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