Gun Violence
SC in Crisis: A New Wave of Gun Violence Grips the State
By James Seidel | Crime and Cask News | April 2, 2025
Gun Violence: Gunfire at South Carolina Plant Leaves Two Dead in Saluda County
SALUDA COUNTY, S.C. — Two people were found dead Monday evening following a shooting at a Saluda County industrial facility, authorities confirmed.
Deputies with the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about gunfire around 5:45 p.m. at Valley Proteins. Upon arrival, officers located a man and a woman, both deceased.
Investigators said the incident appears to be isolated, with no ongoing threat to the community. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is assisting with the investigation.
Additional details, including the victims’ names and the circumstances leading up to the shooting, have not been released.
Gun Violence: Charleston Police: Man Charged in West Ashley Murder
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A Charleston man has been charged with murder after police discovered a deceased individual during a welfare check in West Ashley on Saturday.
Officers responded just before 4 p.m. to the MAA Westchase apartment complex at the request of North Charleston Police. The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was found dead inside an apartment and appeared to have suffered injuries from a violent assault.
Detectives quickly identified and arrested 44-year-old Jayme Ryan McKinney. Police said McKinney, who had been in a relationship with the victim, was taken into custody after receiving treatment for an unrelated medical condition. He is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center without bond.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Charleston Police at 843-720-2422 or submit a tip at www.charleston-sc.gov/tips.
If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
Gun Violence: Florence County Cold Case Reopened: Murder-for-Hire Tied to Custody Battle, Child Abuse Charges
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. — A 20-year-old Lake City murder case has taken a darker turn, with prosecutors now investigating three separate deaths tied to the same group of suspects.
Tonya and Kim Burgess, along with 62-year-old Mack Hanna, were charged in December in connection to the 2004 murder of 19-year-old Lindsay Shawn Simmons, a young mother fatally stabbed in her apartment. During a bond hearing Tuesday, 12th Circuit Solicitor Ryan White revealed disturbing new information, including a previously uncharged 1992 case of alleged child abuse homicide involving Kim Burgess.
Authorities allege Hanna paid the Burgess sisters to kill Simmons in order to gain full custody of their child. The case was revived after two inmates sent letters to law enforcement detailing the murder-for-hire plot.
White said Kim Burgess’ ex-boyfriend later corroborated the story, stating she confessed to the killing. Additionally, investigators now believe Kim Burgess was responsible for the death of her own baby in 1992, who reportedly suffocated after being placed under a bed.
Despite the disturbing allegations, Circuit Judge William Seales granted Kim Burgess a $100,000 bond with GPS monitoring. Tonya Burgess and Hanna remain behind bars without bond.
Simmons’ family urged the judge to deny Kim Burgess bond, citing decades of ignored evidence and corruption in Lake City law enforcement.
Investigators said a third homicide tied to the same suspects is nearing a charging decision.
Gun Violence: Sumter County Man Arrested in February Shooting
SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A month after a violent shooting in Sumter, a suspect has been arrested and charged with attempted murder.
Jervonte Danzell Flowers, 32, was taken into custody Monday at a home on Louella Lane by Sumter County deputies and U.S. Marshals. He faces charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, authorities said.
The shooting occurred Feb. 28 in front of the victim’s home following a verbal altercation. The victim’s condition has not been disclosed.
Flowers is being held without bond at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
“There are countless good, honest, and hardworking people in Sumter,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said in a statement. “But those evildoers who threaten our safety and defame our county will never know a day when they are not looking over their shoulders — because we are coming for them.”
Reporter’s Note:
This is just a snapshot of the gun violence surging through South Carolina. From domestic killings to decades-old murder-for-hire plots and cold cases returning from the grave, the state is facing a crisis that’s becoming impossible for law enforcement — and journalists — to keep up with.
Stay with Crime and Cask News as we continue our exclusive coverage in our special series: “Gun Country: South Carolina’s Breaking Point.”
James Seidel – Publisher, Journalist, Author. Investigator, Podcaster, Radio Talk Show Host, and Music Producer.
Connect with CC News Network
Over 1,500,000 Million likes of Tiktok alone!
Join Our 100,000+ Social Media Fans:
- Follow Us on X: @CCNewsNetwork
- Follow Us on TikTok: @CCNewsNetwork
- Facebook: CC News Network
- Talk Radio: 97.7FM WVFF – Listen to Our Hit True Crime Talk Radio Show
- Follow Us on Amazon Books: Click here to follow
- Hire Us on Cameo: @CC News Network
- Follow Us on Spotify: @CC Records
- Follow Us on Bluesky: @ccnewsnetwork.bsky.social
- Follow Us on Mastadon: @CrimeandCask
- New Book: Trumped Up, by Josh Pruitt and James Seidel
“There are countless good, honest, and hardworking people in Sumter,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said in a statement. “But those evildoers who threaten our safety and defame our county will never know a day when they are not looking over their shoulders — because we are coming for them.”
The sheriff doesn’t realize that the last 6 words could be perceived as a “veiled threat”. (In many areas of our country)