On the night of May 18, 2021, a tragedy unfolded at the VIBEZ Restaurant and Lounge in North Charleston, South Carolina, resulting in the death of 30-year-old Kadeem Felder. The evening took a fatal turn when gunfire erupted inside the bustling nightclub on Ashley Phosphate Road. Just before midnight, off-duty officers at the scene witnessed a large crowd hastily exiting the building. Moments later, several people carried Mr. Felder out and laid him on the ground.
He had sustained a gunshot wound to his mid-body region while on the dance floor. Emergency services were called, and first aid was administered at the scene before he was transported to Trident Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. The Charleston County Coroner confirmed that a gunshot wound was the cause of death.
The investigation into Kadeem Felder's death led to the identification of three suspects: Edmound Franklin Jr., Joseph Jerome Jenkins, and Saquan Moody. Both Franklin and Jenkins were subsequently arrested and faced murder charges in connection with the shooting. However, the legal proceedings took a turn, and the charges against both men were ultimately recorded as 'Dismissed Not Indicted.' In the South Carolina legal system, this means the cases were closed without a formal indictment from a grand jury and without a finding of guilt. While this type of dismissal can sometimes allow for charges to be refiled if new evidence emerges, it marked a significant development in the pursuit of justice for Kadeem Felder. The specific charges against Saquan Moody and the status of his case have not been publicly detailed.
In the wake of the criminal investigation, the family of Kadeem Felder, represented by LaRonda Johnson, initiated a civil lawsuit in July 2023. The lawsuit was filed against the owners of VIBEZ Restaurant and Lounge, Randolph Alston, LLC, and the security company on duty that night, Black Armor Security Services, LLC. The suit alleges that the defendants were negligent in maintaining a safe environment for their patrons. It claims that the nightclub and its security failed to have adequate measures in place to prevent deadly weapons from being brought into the establishment. The lawsuit, which is still pending, contends that this negligence contributed to the circumstances that led to Kadeem Felder's tragic death. The nightclub has since closed and operates under a new name.
