In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 6, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded at a scenic mountain overlook in Cleveland, South Carolina, resulting in the death of 21-year-old Kaylon Reid Culbertson of Greenville. The shooting occurred around 2:57 a.m. near a parking area for the Bald Rock Heritage Preserve on Geer Highway. When deputies from the Greenville County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene, they discovered Culbertson on the ground outside a vehicle, having sustained a fatal
gunshot wound. A second male victim was also found at the scene with a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The investigation into the shooting led to the arrest of 20-year-old Zachary Ray Pridmore of Simpsonville. According to investigators, the incident began with a verbal altercation inside a vehicle between Pridmore and two acquaintances shortly after they left the overlook. The argument escalated, and Pridmore allegedly drew a firearm and fired multiple shots, striking both Culbertson and the other individual. One of the victims was able to call 911 for help. Culbertson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pridmore also sustained injuries during the altercation and was briefly hospitalized before being taken into custody. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Following his arrest, Pridmore was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center where he is being held without bond. An autopsy for Kaylon Reid Culbertson was scheduled for October 7, 2024, to further investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
