In the early morning hours of July 18, 2015, the life of 17-year-old Traquan Singleton was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire inside a residence on Irving Avenue in North Charleston, South Carolina. The young Black male suffered fatal gunshot wounds to his chest and leg and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another male victim, Omar Gentile, was also struck by multiple bullets but survived his injuries after being transported to the Medical University of South Carolina.
Witnesses
inside the home reported hearing a loud noise at the front door, which was immediately followed by the sound of gunshots. In the initial stages of the investigation, North Charleston Police had not determined a motive for the shooting and had not identified any suspects.
More than a month later, on August 28, 2015, a significant breakthrough occurred in the case. Law enforcement, including North Charleston Police, U.S. Marshals, and the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, arrested 28-year-old Joshua Lee Frazier in connection with the fatal shooting. Frazier was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. His arrest was the result of a witness coming forward with crucial information. Frazier had allegedly contacted an individual seeking a car to leave town and, in that conversation, admitted his involvement in the shooting along with another, unidentified suspect. The information provided by this witness, which had not been publicly released, led investigators to Frazier, who was also wanted on an outstanding warrant in Charlotte. He surrendered to authorities without incident. The investigation into the second suspect's involvement continued.
