In the early morning hours of January 19, 2019, a tragic shooting incident claimed the life of Montreal Jordan McMullins, a 23-year-old Black male from Gaffney, South Carolina. The fatal event unfolded at the Sugar Shack Nightclub on Wilcox Avenue in Gaffney, where an altercation escalated into gunfire shortly before 3:30 a.m. McMullins was one of five individuals struck by bullets during the chaotic scene.
He was rushed to Spartanburg Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries during surgery. The other four victims, a 29-year-old man and three women aged 31, 32, and 38, sustained injuries but survived.
The investigation into the deadly shooting led authorities to identify Kenyon Corneluies Hopper, a 36-year-old man from Shelby, North Carolina, as a primary suspect. Hopper was subsequently apprehended in Shelby and extradited to Cherokee County, South Carolina, to face charges. He was charged with one count of murder for the death of Montreal McMullins and four counts of attempted murder in connection with the other victims. Law enforcement officials indicated that their investigation suggested Hopper did not act alone and that they were actively seeking other individuals who may have been involved in the incident.
The Sugar Shack Nightclub itself came under scrutiny following the shooting. It was reported that the establishment had a history of violent incidents in the months leading up to McMullins' death. The Cherokee County Sheriff had previously met with the club's owner to address the need for improved security measures, but it was determined that adequate safety protocols had not been implemented. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Sheriff expressed his intent to work with the Solicitor's Office to have the club declared a public nuisance and permanently shut down. It was also discovered that the nightclub was operating without a proper liquor license.
