In the late hours of a Thursday in Anderson, South Carolina, the life of 17-year-old Demacio Robertson was cut short in a sudden and violent encounter. On September 15, 2016, the Black/African American male forced his way into a residence through a back door, an act that would prove to be his last. The homeowner, startled by the intrusion, responded by firing a shotgun, striking Robertson in the stomach.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and the wounded teenager was rushed to
a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the single gunshot wound proved to be fatal, and Demacio Robertson succumbed to his injuries. The incident set in motion an investigation by local law enforcement who would piece together the events of that night.
As the investigation progressed, it came to light that Robertson was not alone in the commission of the home invasion. Authorities identified and subsequently arrested another individual who was involved in the break-in. This second suspect faced charges related to the home invasion itself, adding another layer to the tragic event.
The homeowner who fired the fatal shot was not charged in Demacio Robertson's death. After a thorough review of the circumstances, law enforcement officials and the solicitor's office determined that the homeowner acted in self-defense. This decision was based on South Carolina's self-defense laws, which permit the use of deadly force to protect oneself and one's home from an intruder. The case, therefore, did not proceed to trial against the homeowner, as their actions were deemed justified under the law. The focus of the legal proceedings then shifted to the surviving suspect who was charged for their role in the events that led to the fatal shooting.
