In the early morning hours of October 27, 2024, the community of Andrews, South Carolina, was shaken by a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 30-year-old Javon La'Donte Seward. The incident unfolded around 1 a.m. at Shaw's Corner Store on Martin Luther King Drive, a local gathering spot. It was there that Seward sustained a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Emergency services were called to the scene, and he was quickly transported to Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m. The Georgetown County Coroner's Office later ruled his death a homicide.
The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office launched an immediate investigation into the shooting. Their efforts quickly led to the identification of a suspect, 24-year-old Hezekiah Wilson, also a resident of Andrews. Within hours of the incident, at approximately 5 a.m., Wilson was located and taken into custody by authorities. He now faces serious charges in connection with Seward's death, including murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Following his arrest, Wilson was booked into the Georgetown County Detention Center. The investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal encounter is ongoing, and law enforcement has encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward.
Javon Seward, born in Georgetown on May 9, 1994, was remembered by his family and friends as a man with a kindhearted and humble spirit. A 2012 graduate of Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School in Columbia, he was known for his love of family, basketball, and various outdoor activities. At the time of his passing, he was employed with Grizzly Logging LLC. His sudden death left behind a grieving family, including his young son, Jace La'Donte Seward, and a community mourning the loss of one of their own. Funeral services were held on November 3, 2024, at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Andrews, where he was laid to rest.
