In the summer evening quiet of Rock Hill, South Carolina, a 17-year-old male named ZyDerec Massey was driving down Finley Road on June 27, 2025, working to earn money as a DoorDash driver. His journey was tragically cut short when he became an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of a violent altercation. Unbeknownst to him, a brawl had erupted in the street between groups from York and Chester counties.
As the fight escalated, shots were fired, and a stray bullet pierced the windshield of Massey's car, striking him in the neck. His vehicle veered off the road and came to a stop after hitting a bush.
First responders arrived at the scene around 10 p.m. to find the teenager suffering from a single gunshot wound. He was rushed to Piedmont Medical Center, but his injuries proved fatal, and he died shortly after arrival. The investigation that followed revealed that Massey was not the intended target of the gunfire. Detectives used video evidence and witness statements to piece together the events of that night, leading them to identify a primary suspect in the senseless killing.
Days later, authorities arrested 21-year-old Zykemian Havar Williams, charging him with murder and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. During his arrest, police also found marijuana and cash in his bedroom, leading to an additional charge of possession with intent to distribute. Williams was denied bail and is being held in the York County jail awaiting trial. The investigation also led to the arrest of three other adults who were charged as accessories for allegedly attempting to help Williams conceal evidence after the crime. Two 18-year-olds, Jazmin Deann Unique Foster and Jaia Jahne Miller, were accused of driving Williams from the scene and storing the weapon used in the shooting.
The community was left to mourn the loss of a young life, described by his family as a quiet soul with a gentle spirit and a radiant smile. His family, heartbroken by the tragedy, attended the suspect's court hearings, seeking justice for a son who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
