In the spring of 2022, a wave of shock and grief washed over the community of Florence, South Carolina, with the news of the tragic death of one of its brightest young stars. DyQuayvyon Quay Dickens, a 17-year-old male, was fatally shot in Myrtle Beach on April 24, 2022. Known for his charismatic spirit and captivating smile, Dickens was a beloved figure at South Florence High School.
He was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and track, and had been crowned homecoming king. His death left a profound void in the lives of those who knew him and the community that had watched him grow.
The incident that claimed Dickens's life unfolded in the early morning hours in downtown Myrtle Beach, near 12th Avenue North and Withers Alley. Gunfire erupted, and in the chaos, four people were shot. Dickens succumbed to his injuries, while the other three victims were treated for their wounds. The violence of that night cut short a life brimming with promise and aspirations of playing football at South Carolina State University and potentially even reaching the NFL. He was a graduating senior who was not only a captain of the football and varsity basketball teams but also an active member of his church and a mentor to younger children in his community.
In the wake of the shooting, the Myrtle Beach Police Department launched an investigation that quickly led to arrests. Three individuals were taken into custody. Tai'yuan Ja'rel Jackson, 20, was charged with murder, three counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, unlawful carry of a handgun, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Another man, 22-year-old Li'quan Tyrese Hickson, was charged with accessory after the fact. A juvenile was also charged in connection with the deadly shooting.
The legal process that followed brought some measure of justice for DyQuayvyon's family and friends. In April 2025, after a three-day trial that included testimony from 20 witnesses and video evidence, both Jackson and Hickson were held accountable for their roles in the shooting. While the bullet that struck Dickens could not be definitively matched to a single weapon, the principle of 'the hand of one is the hand of all' under state law meant both men were held responsible. The prosecution also argued the concept of transferred intent, where the malice intended for someone else resulted in Dickens's death. Following their convictions, both men faced sentences of at least 30 years in prison, bringing a somber conclusion to a case that had deeply affected the community.
