In the summer of 2019, a tragic event unfolded in Sumter, South Carolina, that ended the life of 46-year-old Gregorio Zarate Chun. On the evening of July 25th, Chun and his friend, 25-year-old Diego Alonzo Teletor, were outside a residence on Bowman Drive when they were ambushed in what authorities described as an attempted armed robbery. The attack happened shortly before 10:15 p.m.
According to witness accounts, three men dressed entirely in black approached Chun and Teletor.
The assailants brandished handguns and opened fire before fleeing the scene. When police responded to calls of shots fired, they discovered a grim scene. Teletor was pronounced dead at the location, while Chun was found with gunshot wounds and rushed to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the double homicide suggested that the victims might have been targeted. Both Chun and Teletor were of Hispanic descent, and law enforcement noted a pattern of recent robberies in the area that also targeted Hispanic men. In response to these concerns and to encourage tips from the community, the Sumter Police Department established a dedicated hotline with Spanish-speaking officers.
The investigation led to significant developments with the arrests of two individuals. Kelvin Bell, then 33, and a 17-year-old male were taken into custody and faced two counts of murder for their alleged roles in the fatal shooting. Authorities sought to have the teenage suspect tried as an adult due to the gravity of the crime. The case highlighted the vulnerability of minority communities and the efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to the victims and their families.
