In the quiet community of Ridgeland, South Carolina, the life of 40-year-old Alexander Smith, a Black male, was abruptly ended on the evening of January 8, 2016. Smith was at the Midway Circle Mobile Home Park on S.C. 170 when he was shot. He was rushed to Coastal Carolina Hospital but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The Jasper County Sheriff's Office immediately launched an investigation into the shooting.
Within days, investigators announced that they were making progress, having spoken with persons of interest in connection with the fatal shooting. Shortly thereafter, the sheriff's office confirmed that they had identified a suspect in the case.
Despite the initial progress, the investigation appeared to stall. The name of the suspect was not publicly released, and the Jasper County Sheriff's Office stated they were awaiting a decision from the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office on how to proceed with arrest charges. Online sources and public records since early 2016 provide no further updates on whether an arrest was ever made in the killing of Alexander Smith. The case has seemingly gone cold, with no available information on any charges, trials, or convictions related to his death.
