In the summer of 2014, 16-year-old Shyheim Deangelo Kennedy had returned to his hometown of Chester, South Carolina, to spend time with his mother and other family members. His father had previously moved him to North Carolina in an effort to steer him away from the street violence that was becoming a growing concern in the Chester community. Tragically, the very environment his family had tried to help him escape would claim his life on the evening of July 16, 2014.
While walking home from a local store, just a short distance from his mother's residence, Shyheim was shot and killed.
The investigation into the young man's death moved swiftly, and within two days, police arrested 17-year-old Robert Isaiah Graham. Graham was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. According to law enforcement, the shooting was rooted in gang-related tensions plaguing the city. Investigators stated that Graham was a member of the Roundtree Circle gang and that the shooting was an act of retaliation. It was reported that shortly before the incident, shots had been fired at some of Graham's fellow gang members. While Shyheim himself was not believed to be involved in any gang activity, he was reportedly with members of a rival gang when confronted by Graham.
During the course of the investigation, Robert Graham confessed to the shooting. In May 2015, he pleaded guilty to the murder of Shyheim Kennedy. Prosecutors revealed that Graham had admitted to shooting Shyheim after an argument in the street, which stemmed from ongoing disputes between rival gang factions. At the time of the shooting, Graham was already a convicted felon and was on the run from probation agents. In February 2016, a judge sentenced Robert Isaiah Graham to 45 years in prison for the murder. His defense attorney later stated an intention to appeal the sentence, arguing it was overly harsh. The mother of the convicted teen had also spoken out after his arrest, stating she had tried to get help for her son's violent behavior and had warned probation officials that he was dangerous.
