A son, grandson, and brother, Dennis Lee Caulder was a young man from Marion County, South Carolina, with a large and loving family. Born on December 26, 1999, to his parents Jimmy Earvin Caulder and Lillian Lorraine Tyndall, Dennis was part of a sprawling family network that included siblings, step-siblings, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jimmy E. Caulder and Rufus T. Tyndall, Jr., and an uncle.
Remembered by those who loved him, Dennis, a 26-year-old male, left behind his parents, his grandmothers Diane McKenzie and Martha Ann Tyndall, and many other relatives and friends who cherished him.
On the evening of Monday, September 28, 2026, Dennis was on South Railroad Avenue in the city of Dillon, South Carolina. Near the intersection with West Palmetto Street, gunfire erupted, and Dennis was critically injured. First responders arrived at the scene to find him gravely wounded. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment. For four days, he fought for his life, with family and friends holding onto hope for his recovery.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, Dennis’s injuries proved to be insurmountable. He passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026. Following his death, Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley formally identified him and confirmed that the cause of death was the shooting. Authorities officially ruled the case a homicide. An autopsy was ordered to further establish the details surrounding his death. His family held a visitation and funeral service for him on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Cooper Funeral Home in Dillon.
The Dillon Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Monroe Herring, launched a homicide investigation into the shooting. Detectives began processing the scene on South Railroad Avenue, looking for evidence and seeking to understand the circumstances that led to the fatal gunfire. In the immediate aftermath, police had not publicly released information regarding a potential motive or whether any suspects had been identified. The fundamental questions of who shot Dennis Caulder and why remained unanswered.
The investigation into Dennis Caulder's murder remains active and ongoing. As of October 2026, no arrests have been announced, and authorities have not named any persons of interest. The Dillon Police Department continues to seek assistance from the public to bring resolution to the case and provide answers for Dennis's grieving family.
Authorities urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Investigators are looking for details that could help them piece together the events of that September night. Members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or have any knowledge related to the shooting are asked to contact the Dillon Police Department at 843-774-0051. According to police, callers have the option to remain anonymous.
