In the quiet evening of November 24, 2014, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a community was shaken by the sudden and violent death of Antonio Heath. A 41-year-old Black or African American man, Heath was a devoted father to seven children, with friends and family remembering him as a cherished family man who was always joking and making people laugh. His life was cut short in what appeared to be a senseless act of violence.
That night, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Heath was in the breezeway
of the Deerfield Run Apartments off India Hook Road, where he lived. It is believed he had just stepped outside for a cigarette when he was approached by two men. The men, described as wearing camouflage jackets and carrying handguns, opened fire, striking Heath. The gunshots pierced the door of his apartment, though his wife and children inside were unharmed. A neighbor and longtime friend heard the shots and rushed to his side, holding him and trying to offer comfort while waiting for help to arrive. Heath was transported to Piedmont Medical Center, but he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
For years, the case remained unsolved, leaving a void in the lives of his loved ones and a lingering question for the community. Investigators with the Rock Hill Police Department continued to work the cold case, pursuing leads in the hopes of bringing justice for Heath and his family. Friends and family held vigils, keeping his memory alive and holding out hope for a resolution. The investigation was a long and arduous process, but the dedication of the detectives finally yielded a breakthrough.
Nearly seven years after the fatal shooting, an arrest was made. In November 2021, Jayquan Dante Wilmore, a 27-year-old man from Charlotte, North Carolina, was charged in connection with Heath's death. He faced charges of murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and criminal conspiracy. Wilmore was apprehended in Charlotte and extradited to Rock Hill to face the charges. Police have indicated that there was a second suspect in the killing, though they have not publicly identified that individual. The arrest of Wilmore marked a significant development in the long-standing case, offering a measure of hope to a family that had waited years for answers.
