Crime
24-year-old man killed in Sumter Walmart Shooting, suspect identified
Sumter, SC – Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred Friday afternoon at the Walmart Supercenter on Broad Street.
At a Friday evening news conference, Roark confirmed that Chanceler Lowery, 19, of Sumter, was taken into custody after being turned in by his parents.
At approximately 3 p.m. on February 14, Sumter police officers responded to reports of an active shooter at Walmart Supercenter.
Upon arrival, officers located a 24-year-old Jaquante Montgomery outside the store with an apparent gunshot wound.
Authorities have not yet determined where inside the store the shooting took place.
Life-saving measures were administered by officers and bystanders, but Jaquante Montgomery was later pronounced dead, Roark stated.
The Sumter County Coroner’s Office will release additional details regarding the victim at a later time.
No other injuries were reported, and officials confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the community following the incident.
A preliminary investigation indicates that Lowery and the victim were known to each other and had been experiencing ongoing disputes before the shooting.
Roark described the case as “fluid”, with interviews still ongoing. Authorities anticipate bringing in an additional individual for questioning.
“This is yet another example of young people possessing firearms and engaging in violent acts,” Roark said. “Unfortunately, this is not just happening in Sumter—it is a nationwide issue.”
Law enforcement will maintain a presence in the store area through Saturday morning as the investigation continues.
“This tragic event has deeply impacted our community,” Roark emphasized. “At a time when many were inside Walmart, finishing last-minute Valentine’s Day shopping, a senseless act of violence occurred. That is deeply concerning—not only for me but for our entire community. We do not take this lightly.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities will release further details as they become available.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Sunday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”