In the quiet community of Abbeville, South Carolina, a horrific act of violence shattered the peace on June 23, 2019, claiming the lives of three family members. Shirley Jean Jones, a 62-year-old Black female, was tragically killed in a shooting at the Hickory Heights Apartments on Cambridge Street. The violence also took the lives of her two grandsons, 26-year-old Steven Tinch and 24-year-old Johntavier Moss.
Another family member was also injured in the attack.
The shooting, which occurred in the early morning hours, stemmed from a confrontation outside the apartment complex. Law enforcement was called to the scene around 3:10 a.m. following reports of shots fired. Upon their arrival, they discovered a scene of immense tragedy. Ms. Jones and her grandson, Steven Tinch, were pronounced dead at the scene, while Johntavier Moss succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was called in to assist the Abbeville Police Department with the investigation.
The investigation quickly led to a suspect, 19-year-old Elijah Ty Rez Head, who had a prior criminal record. He was apprehended the following day at a motel in Greenwood, South Carolina. Head was subsequently charged with three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The investigation also resulted in the arrest of two teenage girls, Ta'Zaria Idejah Curry and Daijeanne Lee Hamilton, who were charged with accessory after the fact to murder for allegedly assisting Head after the killings.
The senseless loss of life deeply impacted the Abbeville community. Family and friends remembered Shirley Jean Jones as a pillar of the community, known for her kindness and her love of cooking for her family. A candlelight vigil was held at Wilson Hill Park to honor the memory of Jones and her grandsons, bringing the community together in their shared grief and disbelief.
