In the winter of 2020, in Laurens, South Carolina, the life of 21-year-old Kimori Godfrey was tragically cut short. On the morning of January 24th, Godfrey was found deceased on Fleming Street, the victim of gun violence. The incident drew a swift response from local law enforcement, who worked quickly to secure the scene and begin their investigation into the city's first homicide of the year.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Laurens Police Department and the
Laurens County Sheriff's Office, rapidly identified suspects. Within a short period, two 19-year-olds were taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting. Azarian Jones was identified as the alleged shooter and charged with murder, as well as possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
A second teenager, Jakelious Presley, was also arrested and faced charges of obstruction of justice. Authorities believed that Presley may have attempted to tamper with, remove, or destroy evidence related to the homicide. The arrests brought a small measure of resolution to a community shaken by the violent loss of a young man.
Kimori Godfrey was born on October 28, 1998, and was a 2017 graduate of Clinton High School. He was employed at Teknor Apex in Fountain Inn. His death was mourned by a large family, including his parents, grandparents, six brothers, and two sisters. Those who knew him remembered a kind-hearted and loyal young man.
