Crime
Seven-month-old Zymir Demarco Smith killed in Spartanburg shooting
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Authorities in Spartanburg have launched a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning and claimed the life of a seven-month-old infant.
According to the Spartanburg Police Department, officers were dispatched to an apartment on Collins Avenue around 4:00 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire in the area.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered multiple signs of a shooting, including bullet damage to the residence.
Inside the apartment, they followed a trail of blood which led them to a critically injured infant suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck.
Preliminary findings suggest that the infant and his mother were asleep at the time of the incident, when multiple unknown suspects fired several rounds into the home from outside.
Emergency medical services were immediately called to the scene. Despite efforts to provide life-saving care, the infant was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as Zymir Demarco Smith, a seven-month-old boy.
In a statement released Sunday, Zymir’s family expressed their heartbreak and called for justice in the wake of the devastating loss. Law enforcement officials echoed that plea.
“This is a senseless and heartbreaking tragedy for our entire community,” said Major Art Littlejohn of the Spartanburg Police Department. “We will use every available resource to solve this case and identify those responsible for this horrific act. We urge anyone with information—no matter how insignificant it may seem—to come forward.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Spartanburg Police Department at 864-596-2065. Anonymous tips are welcome.
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.