In the midst of an ordinary Friday afternoon, the life of 24-year-old Jaquante Montgomery of Sumter, South Carolina, was tragically cut short inside a bustling Walmart on Broad Street. On February 14, 2025, a fatal encounter unfolded, sending shoppers scrambling for safety as gunshots echoed through the store. Montgomery was shot multiple times and was later pronounced dead at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital.
An autopsy was scheduled to be held at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to determine the precise cause of death.
The Sumter Police Department's investigation quickly pointed to an ongoing dispute between Montgomery and another individual. Authorities identified 19-year-old Chanceler Lowery as the suspect in the shooting. According to police, the two men knew each other and had recent issues. The fatal shooting was reportedly the culmination of an argument between them inside the store. The incident prompted a large law enforcement and emergency response, leading to the evacuation of the Walmart.
Hours after the shooting, Lowery was taken into custody. Reports indicate that his parents were involved in turning him in to the authorities. He was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. During his initial court appearance, Lowery was denied bond. Police have indicated they are looking for another person who may be connected to the case.
Born on September 13, 2000, Jaquante Taymont Montgomery was a resident of Sumter, where he was educated in the local public school system. He was a father to a son and two daughters. His family remembers him as an outspoken individual who was deeply loved by those who knew him well. He was employed as a poultry processor at the time of his death.
