In the spring of 2015, the life of 27-year-old Tory Teron Thomas was tragically cut short in Georgetown, South Carolina. Known for his wit and infectious humor, Thomas, who was born on February 16, 1988, was a beloved figure in his community. He was a 2007 graduate of Georgetown High School where he excelled academically.
On the evening of April 7, 2015, Thomas was at a birthday party on South Alex Alford Drive.
An argument broke out, and in the ensuing violence, Thomas was shot five times. His death was a profound shock to his family and friends, who remembered him as a natural comedian who brought joy to everyone around him.
The investigation into Thomas's death quickly focused on a single suspect: 23-year-old Dennis Cumbee. Three days after the fatal shooting, Cumbee turned himself in to the Georgetown Police Department. He was subsequently charged with the murder of Tory Thomas.
In December of 2016, just before his trial was set to begin, Dennis Cumbee pleaded guilty to the murder charge. A circuit court judge sentenced him to 35 years in prison for his role in the death of Tory Thomas, bringing a measure of closure to a case that had deeply affected the Georgetown community.
