A tragic incident in the early hours of Sunday has left two people dead and one injured following a shooting in Lexington County, South Carolina. Among the victims were a 17-year-old teenager from Columbia and a 29-year-old man from Winnsboro. Authorities are still investigating the details of this disturbing event, which has shocked the local community.
The Lexington County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Kashaan Damon Sims, 17, and Alvin Davonte McDaniel Jr., 29. Sims, who was from Columbia, died at the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Coroner Margaret Fisher confirmed that despite efforts to save him, Sims tragically succumbed to his injuries on-site.
McDaniel, a resident of Winnsboro, was also shot multiple times, but his injuries were focused on his lower body. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where medical teams worked to stabilize him. Unfortunately, McDaniel later died due to the severity of his wounds.
A third individual, whose name has not been released, was also wounded in the shooting but survived. This victim was evaluated at an area hospital for a gunshot wound, treated, and later released.
The shooting occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the 900 block of Center Street, an area located just a block away from Meeting Street. This section of Lexington County lies close to the bridge connecting the suburb to downtown Columbia, making it a well-trafficked area in proximity to the heart of the city.
Residents in the area were jolted awake by the sound of gunfire and awoke to a heavy police presence. By 7 a.m., the West Columbia Police Department issued a public statement, urging people to avoid the vicinity. Authorities referred to the situation as “an isolated shooting,” indicating that the event did not pose an immediate threat to the wider community. However, this has done little to ease the unease that has now spread throughout the neighborhood, where violent crime is rare but always a concern.
As of now, authorities have not disclosed any information about the shooter or shooters involved. There is no word on whether anyone else was directly involved in the violence, and no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement working to piece together what happened in the minutes leading up to the deadly confrontation.
Both the Lexington County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are actively collaborating in this case. Forensic teams and investigators are continuing to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and search for any leads that might reveal the motive behind the shooting.
This tragic event has left the families of Sims and McDaniel grieving the loss of their loved ones. Sims, being just 17, still had much of his life ahead of him, making his death particularly painful for those who knew him. Friends and family members of both victims have started to gather, mourning and seeking answers to the senseless violence that claimed their lives.
This incident also serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present dangers posed by gun violence in America. According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, 2024 has already seen a significant number of shootings across the nation, including many involving teenagers. Though much remains unknown about the circumstances behind Sunday’s shooting, the community’s heartache is all too familiar in a country where such events are becoming alarmingly common.
Law enforcement is urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Witnesses or those with any knowledge related to the incident are encouraged to contact the West Columbia Police Department or Crime Stoppers to help bring justice to the families affected.
As the investigation continues, the authorities’ primary goal remains to identify those responsible and bring closure to a community still reeling from this sudden and tragic loss of life. For now, Lexington County stands united in grief, hoping for swift answers and justice for the victims.