In the early evening hours of July 3, 2025, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace on East Dargan Street in Dillon, South Carolina, leaving two men dead. One of the victims was Jalik Bethea, a 30-year-old Black/African American male from Dillon County. The violent encounter also claimed the life of 60-year-old Alec Braxton. Both men were found with gunshot wounds and later succumbed to their injuries.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene at the intersection of East Dargan
Street and South 6th Avenue around 5 p.m. The Dillon County Coroner's Office confirmed that both Bethea and Braxton died as a result of the shooting and officially ruled their deaths as homicides. In the wake of the double homicide, both victims were transported for autopsies as investigators began the arduous task of piecing together the events that led to the deadly shooting.
The investigation into the deaths of Jalik Bethea and Alec Braxton was launched by the Dillon Police Department, with the significant involvement of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to provide additional resources. In the days and weeks that followed the incident, authorities continued to process evidence from the crime scene and canvass the neighborhood for any leads. Despite their efforts, law enforcement had not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the killings. The case remains an active and ongoing homicide investigation, with authorities appealing to the public for any information that might bring those responsible to justice.
