On a Christmas night that should have been filled with familial warmth, a gathering in Loris, South Carolina, turned into a scene of tragedy. Darrell Doctor, a 40-year-old Black male, was fatally shot on December 25, 2016. The incident unfolded on Kennedy Street, where Doctor was attending a family get-together. He died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head at approximately 11:25 p.m.
The ensuing investigation revealed a grim story of a family dispute escalating to a fatal
encounter. The man responsible for Darrell Doctor's death was his own uncle, Roger Dale Grate, who was 53 years old at the time. Reports indicate that Grate was involved in a confrontation with his step-son during the party. When Doctor intervened to check on the situation, Grate instructed him to leave. Shortly after, Grate pulled out a handgun and shot his nephew in the head.
Roger Dale Grate was arrested and subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. In May 2018, a 'Stand Your Ground' hearing was held, during which witnesses provided conflicting testimony. Ultimately, the case proceeded to trial. In March 2019, an Horry County jury found Roger Dale Grate guilty of the murder of his nephew. The jury deliberated for about two hours before reaching their verdict. For the murder of Darrell Doctor, Grate was sentenced to 35 years in prison. He received an additional five-year sentence for the weapons charge, which is to be served concurrently.
