On the morning of August 16, 2020, tragedy struck in Florence, South Carolina, when 28-year-old Black male Chilton Lee was found deceased. Florence County deputies initially responded to reports of gunfire in the area of East McIver Road during the early hours of that Sunday but did not immediately locate a victim or a crime scene. It was only upon returning to the location following a second call that law enforcement officers discovered Lee's body lying in the backyard of a residence.
The Florence County Coroner confirmed the identity of the victim and ordered an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death, while the Sheriff’s Office immediately classified the case as a homicide. Investigators began collecting evidence from the scene on East McIver Road, seeking to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. Family members and the community were left mourning the loss of a man described by loved ones as a caring father and a non-violent individual who was visiting family in the area at the time of the incident.
In the days following the discovery, reports emerged regarding potential developments in the case. Local news outlets indicated that a Florence man had been charged in connection with a deadly weekend shooting around August 21, 2020, suggesting a possible breakthrough. However, conflicting information from other crime databases has stated that no arrests were officially reported in connection with Lee's specific case. Consequently, the identity of a confirmed suspect remains unclear in public records, and the investigation has continued with appeals for anyone with information to contact the authorities.
