In the late summer of 2020, the community of Barnwell, South Carolina, was unsettled by the discovery of a local man's body. Perry J. Kearse, a 50-year-old Black male, was found deceased on August 5, 2020. His body was located on a quiet dirt path just off Harris Road, situated behind the Ramblewood mobile home park. The initial discovery quickly turned into a homicide investigation as the Barnwell County Coroner's Office determined that Kearse had died from a fatal gunshot wound to the
head.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 17, 1969, Perry Jerome Kearse had been a resident of Barnwell. He was a graduate of the Allendale-Fairfax High School class of 1987 and was known for his love of sports, particularly basketball. Described as an outgoing individual, he enjoyed spending his time surrounded by family and friends. His sudden and violent death prompted a thorough investigation led by the Barnwell County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, as they worked to piece together the events that led to his murder.
In the course of their investigation, law enforcement identified a primary suspect in the shooting death of Perry Kearse. Jaquan Patrick Jones was named as the individual believed to be responsible for the homicide. The Barnwell County Sheriff's Office issued a public appeal for assistance in locating Jones, offering a cash reward for any information that would lead to his arrest. Authorities alleged that Jones had shot Kearse on the day his body was discovered. The community was urged to come forward with any information, with the assurance that tips could be provided anonymously to aid in the ongoing investigation and bring justice for Kearse.
