A promising young life was cut short in the summer of 2006, leaving a community in mourning. Jarvaris Montez 'Mook' Clinkscales, a 15-year-old male and a football player for Belton-Honea Path High School, was fatally shot in the early hours of a Monday morning in Anderson, South Carolina. The incident, which also left six others injured, took place in the parking lot of a shopping center on Clemson Boulevard when no stores were open.
The shooting occurred at approximately 1:18 a.m., and
Clinkscales was struck by a shotgun blast, suffering multiple wounds. He was rushed to the Anderson Area Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:38 a.m. from a gunshot wound to the head. The other victims of the shooting sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
An investigation into the deadly shooting led to the arrest of Sammy Scott of Clemson. In September 2008, a jury found Scott guilty of murder, assault and battery with intent to kill, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The prosecutor detailed how Scott fired a shotgun multiple times into the crowded parking lot. For his crimes, the teenage perpetrator was sentenced to 55 years in prison.
In the wake of the shooting, two other individuals connected to Scott also faced legal troubles. His sister, Birneda Scott, was charged as an accessory after the fact, and his mother, Sharon Oglesby, was charged with obstruction of justice. The tragic death of the well-liked and respected young athlete prompted his high school to cancel a planned football mini-camp as his teammates and the broader community grieved the senseless loss.
