Crime
17-year-old Sean Davis killed after shooting at Pageland Watermelon Festival
PAGELAND, S.C. — A festive summer evening turned tragic during the town’s annual Watermelon Festival late Friday, when gunfire erupted near a crowded intersection, killing a 17-year-old boy and sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:41 p.m. at the intersection of McGregor and South Pearl Street—just feet from the Pageland Police Department’s tent and within yards of Chesterfield County Sheriff’s deputies who were working security for the event.
The victim, identified as 17-year-old Sean Davis, was struck by gunfire as dozens of panicked festivalgoers fled the scene, according to witnesses.
The initial 911 call was received just moments after shots rang out, triggering an emergency response.
First responders initially requested a medical helicopter to transport the critically wounded teen from the nearby Pageland Airport.
However, due to the urgency of his condition, emergency crews opted to rush him by ambulance to a trauma center in the Charlotte area.
Despite their efforts, sources confirmed Davis was pronounced dead before reaching the hospital.
The Chesterfield County Coroner’s Office officially declared his death around midnight.
Shortly after the shooting, agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrived on the scene to begin their investigation.
Crime scene technicians and SLED agents remained well into the early morning hours Saturday, meticulously documenting evidence and marking where the shooter may have fired and where Davis collapsed.
While law enforcement has not publicly named a suspect, investigators discovered a second trail of blood near the original crime scene, raising the possibility that another individual may have also been shot.
Sources indicated that hospitals in the region were likely alerted to be on the lookout for any patients seeking treatment for gunshot wounds—a standard protocol in active shooting investigations.
The Pageland Police Department released a brief statement confirming the fatal shooting and the age of the victim.
The statement did not include any details about the circumstances or potential threat to the public. The department also announced that the investigation is now being led by SLED.
Pageland Police Chief Dean Short offered condolences, stating:
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the young individual whose life was tragically lost. This is a heartbreaking event that deeply impacts our entire community.”
In response to the tragedy, town officials canceled the remainder of the Watermelon Festival, issuing the following statement on Facebook:
“Out of respect for the victim and their family, we believe this is the most appropriate course of action. Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence. We thank our community for their understanding and ask everyone to continue supporting one another during this difficult time.”
The investigation remains active.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact SLED or local law enforcement.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.