In the small community of Longs, South Carolina, the life of a promising young man, Levi Herman Moody, was tragically cut short. A 19-year-old Black/African American male, Moody was known for his infectious laughter and his talent on the football field at Loris High School. His skills had even earned him a commitment to play at Limestone College, pointing toward a future bright with potential.
On the evening of November 12, 2016, that future was extinguished in a senseless act of violence on Freemont Road. Moody was struck by a bullet in what authorities described as a shooting where he was not the intended target. He was rushed to McLeod Seacoast Hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries, leaving a community in shock and a family devastated by a loss that echoed a painful past; Moody's own father had been killed by a stray bullet when he was just an infant.
The investigation into Moody's death led Horry County Police to 19-year-old Devonta Edward Williams. Williams was arrested and subsequently charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder in connection with the shooting. The case proceeded to trial, where a jury found Williams guilty of all charges. For the murder of Levi Herman Moody, Devonta Edward Williams was sentenced to 35 years in prison. He also received 30-year sentences for each of the attempted murder charges. The court stipulated that Williams would not be eligible for early release, ensuring a long period of incarceration for the man responsible for ending a life so full of promise. The conviction brought a measure of closure to a grieving family and community, though the void left by Levi Moody's absence would forever remain.
