Crime
Victim in Anderson County VFW Mass Shooting Identified as 35-Year-Old Laporshia Cobb
As of Sunday afternoon, no suspects have been publicly identified.
A community Juneteenth celebration in Anderson County turned tragic Saturday night when gunfire erupted near the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post on Scarborough Road, leaving one woman dead and at least ten others injured.
According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began as a fight among individuals attending the event and quickly escalated into a mass shooting.
Hundreds of people were gathered in the area for the celebration when multiple gunshots rang out, sending attendees running for cover and creating widespread panic.
Shale Remien, spokesperson for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, said authorities were faced with a chaotic and rapidly evolving situation. “What we do know is that multiple shots rang out, with multiple people hurt all at the same time,” she said. “People were taken from the scene by others in their own vehicles. That’s why you see clothing, debris, and personal items scattered everywhere.”
Emergency responders said one person died at the scene. The victim was later identified by the Anderson County Coroner’s Office as 35-year-old Laporshia Janae Gray Cobb, of Anderson.
She died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Among the ten others injured, one individual was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital in critical condition, while eight others were transported to local hospitals in Anderson for emergency treatment.
The extent of their injuries has not yet been released.
As first responders and investigators arrived at the scene, nearby roads were clogged with parked vehicles from attendees, many of which were illuminated by flashing emergency lights well into Sunday morning.
A South Carolina Highway Patrol cruiser was reportedly struck during the response and had to be towed from the scene, along with numerous other vehicles.
“Chaos is an understatement when it comes to this scene,” Remien said. “That’s why you see how large this area is.”
Crime scene investigators worked through the night, combing the area for evidence.
Dozens of shell casings were found on the ground, and evidence markers were scattered throughout the parking lot and surrounding area.
A bystander, who wished to remain anonymous, described how the celebration had started on a positive note but took a horrifying turn. “We were coming together just to celebrate each other and enjoy one another,” the man said. “It was good—until it wasn’t.”
“You could tell people came together for the right reasons,” Remien added. “Unfortunately, that took a turn very quickly.”
As of Sunday afternoon, no suspects have been publicly identified.
Authorities believe multiple individuals may be responsible for the shooting.
The motive remains unclear, and investigators have not confirmed whether the violence was directly related to the Juneteenth celebration.
“This scene is far from being wrapped up,” Remien stated. “We will be investigating for quite a while.”
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information or video footage from the area to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
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 Saturday 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 Nehemiah Locklear.
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.”