Tragedy at Juneteenth Celebration in Anderson, SC: One Dead, Multiple Injured in Mass Shooting
ANDERSON, SC — A joyful Juneteenth celebration turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak late Saturday night after gunfire erupted at a large community gathering on Scarborough Road, leaving one woman dead and ten others injured.
According to Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore, the victim has been identified as LAPORSHIA JANAE GRAY COBB, a 35-year-old resident of Anderson. Cobb sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the abdomen and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Her death has been officially ruled a homicide.
The shooting occurred around 10:00 p.m., drawing an overwhelming emergency response from multiple agencies, including the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson Police Department, Medshore Ambulance Service, Anderson County Fire Department, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Anderson County EMS, and the Anderson County Office of the Coroner.
Authorities responding to the incident were met with a chaotic and distressing scene, as people fled the area in panic. Victims of the shooting were found both at the location and later arriving at area hospitals via private vehicles. A total of ten individuals suffered gunshot wounds during the violence, including:
-
One deceased victim: Laporshia Cobb.
-
Two victims with critical injuries, transported to AnMed and Prisma Health.
-
Seven additional victims sustained injuries to their extremities and are being treated at AnMed Health Medical Center.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the shooting broke out following an altercation during the Juneteenth celebration, which had drawn a large crowd. The motive and exact sequence of events remain under investigation, and law enforcement has not yet disclosed any information about potential suspects or arrests.
“This is a devastating incident for our community,” said a spokesperson from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. “What should have been a peaceful and joyous celebration ended in senseless violence. We are working tirelessly to identify those responsible and bring justice to the victims and their families.”
The tragedy has shaken the Anderson community, casting a shadow over what was intended to be a time of cultural reflection, unity, and celebration of freedom. In recent years, Juneteenth has grown in national significance, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
Community leaders and residents have expressed their heartbreak and disbelief over the shooting, urging anyone with information to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
“This is not who we are,” one community member shared. “We come together to honor the sacrifices of those before us. It’s unthinkable that a celebration of freedom ended in such a tragic loss of life.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers immediately.
The Anderson County Office of the Coroner and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office continue to lead the investigation. Further updates will be released as more details become available.