On the early morning of October 12, 2025, a violent altercation erupted at the Truth Bar and Grill located on West Franklin Street in Anderson, South Carolina. The incident began inside the establishment before spilling out into chaos, drawing the attention of security personnel who were working to maintain order at the venue. During the disturbance, gunfire broke out, striking multiple individuals.
Among those fatally wounded was 30-year-old Black male Roymad McDaniel, a security guard who was reportedly shielding his sister from the barrage of bullets when he was struck in the chest. Another security guard, 54-year-old Calvin Chester Jr., was also killed in the shooting after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.
Law enforcement officers from the Anderson Police Department and first responders arrived at the scene just after 3:15 a.m. to find a chaotic environment with five people suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, both McDaniel and Chester succumbed to their injuries, with the coroner ruling both deaths as homicides. Three other victims were treated for injuries and were expected to recover. The investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from a fight that had escalated rapidly, turning the local establishment into a crime scene.
In the days following the double homicide, investigators worked to identify those responsible. The Anderson Police Department eventually charged four individuals in connection with the deadly event. Kavon Turner, Jamarcus Brown, and Jamaias Howard were arrested and charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. A fourth suspect, 18-year-old Nan Putman, subsequently turned himself in to authorities and faced similar murder charges. During initial court appearances, a judge denied bond for the suspects, ensuring they remained in custody as the legal process moved forward. Families of the victims attended the hearings, expressing both grief and a sense of relief that the alleged perpetrators had been apprehended.
