In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Columbia, South Carolina, a dispute at a convenience store tragically escalated, ending the life of 46-year-old Jevon 'Shorty' Belton. The incident unfolded shortly after midnight on May 19, 2024, at the EZ Spot on Farrow Road. An argument between Belton and another man, later identified as 35-year-old Joseph Kennedy, turned violent when Kennedy allegedly shot Belton.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and Belton was rushed to a local
hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. Investigators from the Columbia Police Department began to piece together the events of that fatal morning. According to a witness, Kennedy fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Utilizing surveillance footage and witness statements, authorities quickly identified Kennedy as the suspect.
Later that same day, in a surprising turn of events, Kennedy returned to the convenience store where the shooting had occurred. Columbia Police Department officers were present and arrested him without incident. Kennedy was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He was then booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center to await legal proceedings. While an arrest has been made, the investigation into the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation is ongoing.
