On a tragic afternoon in North Charleston, South Carolina, the life of 30-year-old Dominike Williams, an African American male, was abruptly cut short. The incident that led to his death unfolded on March 8, 2025, just before 1:30 p.m. at The Gates mobile home park on Preakness Drive. It was there that North Charleston Police Department officers responded to calls of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Williams outside a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency services rushed him to Trident Medical Center, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:13 p.m.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to an arrest at the scene. Joshua Thomas Smalls, 29 years old, was taken into custody and subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. According to witness statements detailed in the police report, the encounter was not intended to be fatal. Smalls allegedly went to Williams's residence with the intention of 'scaring' him with a firearm. He claimed that the gun only discharged after Williams attempted to grab it. Further statements from Smalls indicated that another individual had encouraged him to confront Williams.
The North Charleston Police Department, in conjunction with the Dorchester County Coroner's Office, is continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. The sudden and violent death of Dominike Williams has left the local community in shock and mourning, prompting conversations about the impact of gun violence. Williams was a married father of six children who was well-known in his community.
