On an autumn evening in Hamer, South Carolina, the life of 28-year-old James Boopa McLean was tragically cut short. On October 31, 2021, authorities responded to a single-car accident to find McLean inside his vehicle, the victim of a fatal gunshot wound. First responders transported him to McLeod Medical Center in Dillon, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The male victim's death was quickly ruled a homicide by the Dillon County coroner, launching an investigation into the circumstances that led to the deadly shooting.
James McLean, known affectionately as 'Boopa' to his friends and family, was a father of four girls who attended Dillon County public schools. His passing left a significant void in the lives of his loved ones, including his father, grandmother, great-grandmother, and numerous aunts, uncles, and friends who remembered him as a cherished member of their community. His family had previously endured the losses of his mother and two brothers.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officials began the arduous task of piecing together the events of that Halloween night. Despite their efforts and the initial media coverage of the incident, information regarding any potential suspects or arrests in connection with the murder of James Boopa McLean has not been publicly released. The case remains an open investigation, leaving a community to mourn and a family to await answers and the dispensation of justice for their profound loss. The absence of resolution in the case continues to be a source of pain and uncertainty for those who knew and loved him.
