In the quiet community of Greer, South Carolina, the life of 38-year-old Wilmont Sonny Burroughs III, known to his friends and family as 'Monty,' came to a tragic and sudden end. A man with a heart of gold who enjoyed making people laugh, Burroughs was a father, a brother, and a son. His journey, which began in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, had led him to a career at Bentler Automotive in Duncan, where he was known as a hardworking man.
In his personal time, he found joy in playing basketball and video games, washing his car, and had a particular fondness for his collection of Jordans.
On the night of January 13, 2021, the tranquility of a neighborhood on South Buncombe Road was shattered by the sound of gunfire. A violent altercation erupted, resulting in a triple shooting that left two individuals dead and one seriously injured. Wilmont Sonny Burroughs III was one of the two fatalities in the incident. The other deceased individual was 17-year-old Landon Ray, a senior at Greer High School. The third person involved in the shooting, who survived, was 19-year-old Joe Raines.
The investigation into the deadly encounter revealed a narrative of conflict that had escalated to a fatal confrontation. According to detectives, Joe Raines believed that Landon Ray had stolen from him. On that fateful night, it is reported that Raines and Wilmont Burroughs followed Ray to his home. An argument ensued, which quickly spiraled into a shootout. In the exchange of gunfire, both Burroughs and Ray sustained fatal injuries, while Raines was struck in the face but survived. The incident was not a random act of violence but rather a targeted event stemming from a personal dispute.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office launched a thorough investigation. The surviving participant, Joe Raines, was identified as the suspect in the deaths of Burroughs and Ray. Following his recovery from his injuries, Raines was arrested and faced serious legal consequences for his role in the fatal shootout. He was charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Wilmont Sonny Burroughs III and Landon Ray. During his initial court appearance, a judge denied him bond, ensuring he would remain in custody as the legal process moved forward. The families of the victims were left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of their loved ones, with the brother of Wilmont Burroughs expressing his profound grief and the devastating impact of the callous act during the bond hearing.
