In the early hours of New Year's Day 2026, a compassionate act turned fatal for Gregario Julian Lizama Tenorio, a 37-year-old man from Spartanburg, South Carolina. The tragic event unfolded shortly after 1 a.m. in the parking lot of a Spinx gas station located in the 1500 block of W.O. Ezell Boulevard. Tenorio, whose ethnicity has not been publicly disclosed, was caught in the crossfire of a dispute that he had no part in, a decision that would ultimately cost him his life.
According to
accounts from witnesses at the scene, a sedan had pulled into the gas station parking lot, and a heated argument erupted between the driver and a passenger. In an attempt to de-escalate the volatile situation, Tenorio reportedly got out of his own vehicle and approached the sedan to intervene. As he moved towards the rear of the car, he was struck by gunfire. The Spartanburg Police Department was alerted to the shooting, and upon arrival, officers discovered Tenorio lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. Despite their efforts to render aid, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The Spartanburg County Coroner's Office later identified the victim as Gregario Julian Lizama Tenorio. The incident was one of three homicides to occur in Spartanburg within the first week of 2026, prompting concerns about a spike in gun violence within the community. In the days following the shooting, law enforcement officials confirmed that an active investigation was underway.
As of the latest available reports, the Spartanburg Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects in the shooting of Gregario Julian Lizama Tenorio. Details regarding the individuals involved in the initial altercation have not been released, and it remains unclear what instigated the fatal confrontation. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in bringing clarity and justice to this senseless act of violence. No arrests have been announced in connection with the case.
