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.
CHICAGO, IL — A man was found shot to death Friday night on Chicago’s South Side, prompting a homicide investigation by Area One detectives, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 900 block of West 63rd Parkway in the Englewood neighborhood at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 36-year-old male victim suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and neck.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but the victim was pronounced dead on arrival.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified him as Dennis T. Durley, age 36.
According to preliminary information, a male suspect exited a white sedan, approached the victim, and opened fire before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.
No arrests have been made at this time, and Area One detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not released details on a possible motive or whether the incident may have been targeted.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact the Chicago Police Department’s Area One Bureau of Detectives or submit an anonymous tip through CPD’s tip line or Crime Stoppers.