Tahshawn T'lahjuwon Smalls, a 21-year-old male, was a cherished member of the Burgess Community in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Born on April 8, 2001, he was known for his strong work ethic, holding several jobs from a young age, including his most recent position at Woodhaven Pancake House. A 2019 graduate of St. James High School, his friends and family remember his infectious smile and his personal motto, 'Mama I'm living everyday as my last'.
On the afternoon of September 22, 2022,
Tahshawn's life was tragically cut short in a violent encounter. While at a car wash on Bay Road, near Highway 707 in Horry County, another vehicle pulled up alongside his. Witnesses reported hearing a barrage of gunshots moments later. In the immediate aftermath, with both the victim and the shooter having left the scene, an acquaintance drove a wounded Tahshawn to a nearby Sonic Drive-In. From there, he was rushed to Grand Strand Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a suspect, 18-year-old Devin Lee Johnson of Loris, South Carolina. Surveillance footage and license plate readers linked an older model Lexus, seen at the car wash, to Johnson. The vehicle was later found abandoned, riddled with bullet holes from the inside. After a two-month search, Johnson was located and arrested on November 10, 2022. Initially, Johnson denied his involvement, claiming to be in Connecticut for his grandfather's funeral at the time of the shooting. However, investigators used cell phone data to place him at the scene of the crime.
Faced with the evidence against him, Devin Lee Johnson's trial was initially set for April 22, 2024. However, on April 11, 2024, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The Honorable Circuit Court Judge Alex Hyman sentenced Johnson to 20 years in prison. Under the terms of his sentence, he is required to serve at least 85% before becoming eligible for release. The tragic loss of Tahshawn Smalls left a lasting impact on his family and the Myrtle Beach community, who gathered to honor his memory at a funeral service held at his alma mater, St. James High School, on October 2, 2022.
