Sir’Kyrio Jalyn Ansley, an 18-year-old Black male, tragically lost his life on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, in Neeses, South Carolina. The events of that day began to unfold when a 911 call was placed reporting a single-vehicle accident near Cavalry Church Road. When authorities arrived at the scene, they found Sir’Kyrio Ansley inside his car. He had an injury to his upper body that was later determined to be a gunshot wound.
He was transported to the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the young man's death brought to light a confrontation that occurred shortly before the crash. Witnesses reported seeing Ansley’s Kia parked at the Lebanon United Methodist Church earlier on the day of the incident. They observed another vehicle, a green or blue Jeep Cherokee, pull up alongside Ansley's car. A Black male with long dreadlocks was seen getting out of the Jeep. An altercation then took place between the individuals, which culminated in Ansley speeding away from the church parking lot. It was as he fled that he crashed his vehicle into a fire hydrant across the street. The accounts provided by witnesses were later corroborated by security footage from the church, which captured the interaction.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office undertook the investigation and, about a week after the shooting, received a crucial tip that helped them identify the suspects and their vehicle. The investigation led them to two young men from Blackville, South Carolina: 21-year-old Davion Jones and 18-year-old Kelleyon Key. With the assistance of U.S. Marshals, the two suspects were located and apprehended in Jacksonville, Florida. Both Jones and Key were charged with one count of murder in connection with the death of Sir’Kyrio Ansley. They were extradited back to South Carolina to face the charges against them and had their first court appearance on December 2, 2020.
