Kenneth Grant was a dedicated and accomplished athlete at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, where he made his mark in both wrestling and football. In 2020, as a member of the school's decorated wrestling team, he competed in the 195-pound weight class during the State Duals Tournament. His participation was a key part of the team's journey to becoming the South Carolina 2A-1A Wrestling State Champions, a significant achievement for the school and the community.
On the football field, Kenneth was a versatile player for the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders, wearing the number 3 jersey. He contributed to the team as both a running back and an outside linebacker, showcasing his strength and agility. His life at 23 years old was rooted in the small city of Bamberg, South Carolina, a community that had watched him grow and compete.
The night of Wednesday, September 23, 2026, brought a sudden and violent end to Kenneth’s life. In the quiet, rural outskirts of Bamberg, a grim discovery was made on Spring Branch Road. Shortly before 11:00 p.m., the Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office received a call about bodies lying in the roadway. Deputies were dispatched to the scene, where they found Kenneth Grant and another 23-year-old man, Shamarion Owens, deceased. Both men had been shot to death. The road was secured as a crime scene, and the initial response brought together multiple local agencies to handle the tragedy.
The Bamberg County Coroner’s Office, Thorne Ambulance Service, and the Bamberg City Fire Department all assisted deputies at the scene. After confirming the identities of Kenneth and Shamarion, the coroner’s office undertook the difficult task of notifying their families. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community as news spread about the loss of two of its young men. To determine the exact cause of death and gather evidence, autopsies for both victims were scheduled to be performed that Friday in Newberry.
Due to the gravity of the double homicide, the Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office requested that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the state's primary investigative body, take the lead on the case. The Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner's Office pledged their full assistance to SLED's investigation as it got underway. In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement officials worked to calm public fears, issuing a statement that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and that there was no known ongoing threat to the community. Authorities did not immediately release any information regarding a possible motive or the specific circumstances that led to the fatal encounter on Spring Branch Road, leaving many questions unanswered.
As of late September 2026, the investigation into the murders of Kenneth Grant and Shamarion Owens was active and in its early stages. No arrests had been announced, and no suspects had been publicly identified. The case cast a shadow over Bamberg County, as friends, family, and community members mourned the two young lives that were cut short. The search for justice and understanding had just begun, with investigators working to piece together the events of that tragic night.
The community was left to grapple with the senseless violence that took two of their own. The loss of Kenneth, a former high school sports champion, and his friend Shamarion, was a profound blow. Authorities continue to seek help from the public to solve this crime. Anyone who may have information regarding the incident, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is urged to contact the Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office at 803-245-3018. The case remains open and unsolved.
