In the quiet evening of August 15, 2018, in Longs, South Carolina, the life of 57-year-old Gerard 'Jerry' Celentano was tragically cut short in an act of violence that was part of a larger crime spree. A male who had relocated to Horry County from New Jersey about a year and a half prior, Celentano was fatally shot in the parking lot of a Food Lion grocery store.
The incident unfolded at approximately 10:30 p.m. as Celentano sat in his car. He was approached by two men and, in an attempt to flee, was shot and killed. A third suspect was also involved, confronting a store employee in the parking lot with a demand to open the store. The assailants fled the scene in a gray Nissan Altima, continuing their string of armed robberies in Loris and extending into North Carolina. The series of crimes prompted a widespread investigation, with law enforcement considering links to other recent robberies in the area.
Following the initial investigation, three individuals were arrested in connection with the crime spree that included Celentano's murder. While their cases were pending, Celentano's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Food Lion, alleging a lack of security measures at the location.
Ultimately, three men from Tabor City, North Carolina—Jerome Jenkins, Skilar Gadsden, and Javelon Graham—faced charges for their roles in the violent rampage. In July 2022, Jerome Jenkins, who was identified as the individual who fired the fatal shots, pleaded guilty to murder and armed robbery. He received a 50-year prison sentence. Skilar Gadsden entered a guilty plea for voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Javelon Graham pleaded guilty to armed robbery and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the series of robberies that culminated in the tragic death of Gerard Celentano.
