In the early hours of a Saturday morning in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a night of leisure turned into a scene of violence that claimed the life of a young father. On November 10, 2018, gunfire erupted inside Gravy's Grill on Kensington Drive, leading to the death of 25-year-old Damien Michael Young. The shooting, which occurred around 1:00 a.m., also resulted in injuries to two other individuals.
When law enforcement arrived, they discovered Young inside the establishment with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. At the time of his death, Young was the new father to a four-day-old son.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a suspect, Daniel S. Means, who was 24 years old at the time. Authorities determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence, as Means and Young were acquainted with each other. Utilizing security footage and statements from witnesses, investigators were able to piece together the events of that tragic night. Means fled the scene after the shooting, but his identity was soon known to law enforcement. Eighteen days after the incident, Daniel S. Means was apprehended by the police.
In May 2021, Daniel S. Means pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. For his role in the death of Damien Young and the injury of two others, Means was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Under the terms of his sentence, he will be required to serve 85 percent of his time before becoming eligible for release. This brought a legal conclusion to a case that began with a sudden and violent act, forever altering the lives of multiple families.
