Crime
Victim killed in Sumter Walmart shooting identified as 24-year Jaquante Montgomery
Sumter, SC – Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred earlier on Friday at the Walmart Supercenter on Broad Street.
During a press conference Friday evening, Roark confirmed that Chanceler Lowery, 19, of Sumter, was taken into custody after being turned in by his parents.
At approximately 3:00 p.m. on February 14, Sumter police officers responded to reports of an active shooter situation at Walmart Supercenter.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered one victim outside the store suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The exact location of the shooting inside the store remains unclear at this time.
Despite immediate lifesaving efforts by responding officers and bystanders, the victim—24-year-old Jaquante Montgomery—succumbed to his injuries.
Montgomery was transported to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker. Baker further stated that Montgomery had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim’s next of kin has been notified, and an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
Authorities have determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence but stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Lowery and Montgomery.
“This appears to be another tragic case of young individuals resorting to firearms to resolve conflicts,” Chief Roark stated. “Unfortunately, this is not just an issue in Sumter but a growing concern nationwide.”
The investigation remains active, and police have indicated that additional individuals may be questioned as part of ongoing interviews.
Chief Roark assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community, as no further injuries were reported. However, a heightened police presence will remain in the area through Saturday morning as investigators continue their work.
“This was a devastating event that shook our community,” Roark said. “Many shoppers were inside the store during what should have been a routine trip.
The fact that this occurred on the eve of Valentine’s Day, when families were out shopping, makes it even more troubling. We take incidents like this very seriously.”
The Sumter Police Department urges anyone with additional information regarding the case to come forward.
More details will be provided as the investigation progresses.
FAYETTE COUNTY, AL – Authorities have confirmed that human remains found in a burn pile at a rural Alabama home belong to 1-year-old Kahleb Collins, a toddler who had been missing since a fatal crash last year claimed the lives of his father and 2-year-old sister.
The confirmation was announced Thursday by Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby, marking a devastating development in a case that has gripped the community for months.
Kahleb had been unaccounted for since December 8, 2024, when a high-speed crash on County Road 73 near Glen Allen killed his father, 40-year-old Steven “Brad” Collins, and his sister, Ryleigh Collins, and critically injured his mother, 23-year-old Wendy “Pam” Bailey.
While initially believed to have possibly perished in the crash, Kahleb’s body was not found at the scene, prompting a months-long missing persons investigation.
Sheriff Yerby said investigators, aided by an anthropologist, recovered what appeared to be human remains during one of several searches at the family’s property in the Winfield area.
The sheriff did not specify when the remains were recovered, but stated that forensic testing had since confirmed them as those of Kahleb.
“This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved Kahleb,” Yerby said. “While this discovery brings some closure, it also serves as a solemn reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in protecting our children. We remain fully committed to pursuing justice in this case.”
On April 15, 2025, a Fayette County grand jury issued indictments against Pam Bailey and her father, 55-year-old John Elton Bailey, in connection with Kahleb’s death and prior abuse allegations.
Pam Bailey has been charged with:
- Aggravated child abuse
- Four counts of first-degree domestic violence
- Abuse of a corpse
- Criminally negligent homicide (a misdemeanor, related to Ryleigh Collins’ death in the crash)
John Elton Bailey faces the following charges:
- Aggravated child abuse
- Four counts of first-degree domestic violence
- Abuse of a corpse
- Hindering prosecution
Both defendants resided at the family home and are accused of participating in or covering up the abuse and death of Kahleb.
The investigation began after the December 8 crash, in which Steven Collins was reportedly driving 92 mph—more than double the posted speed limit of 45 mph—when his truck lost control on a wet roadway. He and Pam Bailey were both ejected from the vehicle due to not wearing seatbelts. Their daughter, Ryleigh, was unrestrained in the back seat and pronounced dead at the scene.
Pam Bailey was airlifted to UAB Hospital, where authorities conducted multiple interviews. It was only days after the crash that law enforcement publicly revealed that Kahleb had been missing and launched a broader investigation. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) issued a missing child alert on December 9.
The case took a darker turn when court records revealed disturbing allegations of ongoing abuse. The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) had previously been involved with the family. Court filings indicate that Pam Bailey received text messages from Steven Collins in which he threatened to kill Kahleb and sent photos appearing to show the child bloodied, bruised, and bound.
One message allegedly read, “He won’t move. I’m so sorry.” This was followed by another: “He moving.” Bailey reportedly responded, “He just looks wore out and tired and hurt hopefully that’s all.”
The indictment against Pam Bailey also accuses her of physically abusing Kahleb, including striking him and tying him to a chair.
Both Pam Bailey and John Elton Bailey remain in custody. Authorities have not disclosed Kahleb’s exact cause of death, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.