In the early morning hours in Lancaster, South Carolina, a domestic disturbance shattered the quiet of a home on Connor Street, leaving two men dead in what police would later describe as a murder-suicide. The victim was identified as 24-year-old TJ Price Jr., a male who was found deceased in a bedroom of the residence. The tragic event unfolded after what investigators believe was an argument between Price and his stepfather.
Police were dispatched to the home around 4:40 a.m.
following a 911 call. Upon their arrival, they discovered Price's body. As officers were securing the house and preparing to enter another bedroom, they heard a single gunshot. Inside, they found 48-year-old Barack Shabezz, Price's stepfather, who had just taken his own life.
Family members who gathered at the scene were left in shock, struggling to understand what could have led to such a violent end. They recounted being with both men the previous evening at a family party and noted that Shabezz had been acting strangely, though they couldn't pinpoint a specific cause for concern. Relatives described TJ Price as a good-hearted person and expressed their profound loss. They also conveyed their disbelief regarding Shabezz's actions, with one cousin stating that he had always been a good person to talk to and that the two men appeared to have a good relationship.
The family had moved to the Lancaster home from Great Falls several months prior after their previous residence was damaged in a fire. According to police, there had been no prior calls to their new address. Investigators believe an argument between Price and Shabezz escalated, leading to the fatal shooting. With the suspect deceased at the scene, the investigation concluded without any arrests being made. The incident was recorded as the first homicide of the year for the city of Lancaster.
