Dorian James Ezell, a 23-year-old Black male from Columbia, South Carolina, passed away on December 31, 2015. Born on August 28, 1992, to Reverend Ricky Ray Ezell, Sr. and Bernice Gadson Ezell, Dorian was a vibrant and active member of his community. He was a graduate of Dutch Fork High School and continued his education at Claflin University and Midlands Technical College. From a young age, Dorian was deeply involved in the Central Baptist Church, where his father served as a reverend.
He participated in numerous youth ministries, church plays, and skits, and also served as a youth counselor during the church's Summer Enrichment Program.
Known for his diverse talents, Dorian was a gifted basketball player, participating on many AAU teams throughout the Columbia area. His creativity extended to music, as he was a skilled piano player and drummer who also enjoyed performing rap music in his spare time. Friends and family also knew him as a formidable opponent in a game of chess or checkers. His life was celebrated with a homegoing service at his beloved Central Baptist Church on January 6, 2016, followed by his burial in the Memorial Gardens of Columbia. He is remembered by his parents, two brothers, and his daughter.
While an online memorial page states that Dorian was lost to gun violence, there is no publicly available information to confirm the specific circumstances surrounding his death. Extensive searches for news reports, official statements, or law enforcement records from the time of his passing have not yielded any details regarding a criminal investigation, any potential suspects, or arrests in connection with his death. The sources available do not indicate any legal proceedings or that his death was the result of criminal activity. Therefore, the narrative of his final moments remains unclear, with conflicting information available from online sources.
