In the early morning hours of June 4, 2025, the life of 40-year-old Brandon Xavier Gadsden of Newberry, South Carolina, was tragically cut short. The incident unfolded around 6:30 a.m. in a parking area of Millers Fork Trail, located near the intersection of West Corporate Center Drive and Highway 72 East in Clinton. Deputies who responded to reports of a gunshot victim discovered Gadsden at the scene with grave injuries.
Despite immediate medical assistance, he succumbed to his wounds shortly after.
The investigation into Gadsden's death quickly pointed to a suspect. By approximately 7:00 p.m. the same day, law enforcement officials had apprehended 17-year-old Kevonte Cunningham of Cross Hill. The swift arrest was the result of a tireless and immediate investigation conducted by the Laurens County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Clinton Police Department.
Kevonte Cunningham was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Despite his age, authorities made the decision to charge him as an adult, underscoring the serious nature of the offense. Following his arrest, Cunningham appeared for a bond hearing where he was denied bond, reflecting the gravity of the charges he faces. The Laurens County Sheriff's Office has expressed its condolences to the family of Brandon Xavier Gadsden as the legal proceedings against Cunningham continue.
