An 18-year-old Black female named Jamyia Smith was tragically killed in the early morning hours of January 3, 2019, in Charleston, South Carolina. Her life was cut short by a gunshot wound inside a residence on Westwood Drive on James Island. The Charleston County Coroner confirmed the cause of death, and the Charleston Police Department immediately began a homicide investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, which occurred at approximately 1:37 a.m.
The investigation
into the death of the Moncks Corner teenager led to the arrest of two suspects. Brandon D. Simmons, 19, and Samuel R. White, 27, were both charged with murder in connection with the shooting. Following their surrender to law enforcement, they were booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center. Even with the arrests made, authorities continued to appeal to the public for any additional information regarding the case as the investigation remained ongoing.
The violent death of Jamyia Smith sent shockwaves through the local community, prompting an outpouring of grief and support for her bereaved family and friends. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in North Charleston, where those who knew her gathered to mourn the profound loss of a young life. The tragic event also served as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of gun violence in the area.
