In the late summer of 2024, the life of 31-year-old Shaquille Swinton, a male from Orangeburg, South Carolina, was tragically cut short. On Saturday, August 31, 2024, officers from the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety responded to a call concerning an injured man behind the Walgreens on John C. Calhoun Drive. Upon arrival, they discovered Swinton suffering from what they believed to be a gunshot wound.
He ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Swinton's death was immediately launched by the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. Early in the investigation, law enforcement officials announced that they had a person of interest in the case, though they did not publicly release a name. Orangeburg Police Chief Charles Austin stated that the investigation was active and ongoing as they worked to piece together the events that led to Swinton's death. Authorities have encouraged anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers to assist with the investigation.
The news of Shaquille Swinton's violent death left his family heartbroken and searching for answers. His aunt, Dorothy Payne, described him as a 'very sweet person' who would do anything for anyone. She expressed the family's profound loss and their hope that the person or persons responsible would be brought to justice. While a news report in early December 2024 suggested that an arrest was imminent, there have been no publicly available updates confirming any arrests or charges in connection with the murder. The case officially remains an open and ongoing homicide investigation.
