On the evening of May 8, 2024, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace at a Parker's Kitchen gas station on U.S. Highway 52 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, leading to the tragic death of 31-year-old Evan Dwellen, a Black/African American male. The Moncks Corner Police Department responded to calls about the shooting around 10:00 p.m. and discovered two individuals in the parking lot with gunshot wounds.
Dwellen had sustained multiple life-threatening injuries, while a second victim suffered a non-life-threatening wound to the leg.
Both victims were quickly transported to Trident Medical Center for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Evan Dwellen succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The Berkeley County Coroner's Office later identified him as the deceased. The incident left the local community shaken and sparked conversations regarding safety measures at commercial establishments in the area.
The investigation into the shooting moved swiftly. Through a collaborative effort between the Moncks Corner Police Department and the North Charleston Police Department, a suspect was identified and apprehended the very next day. Twenty-year-old Adrian Gadsden Jr. of Summerville was arrested on May 9, 2024, in connection with the fatal shooting.
Following his arrest, Adrian Gadsden Jr. was charged with one count of murder for the death of Evan Dwellen and one count of attempted murder for the injury to the second victim. He was subsequently booked and held at the Hill-Finklea Detention Center. Authorities have encouraged anyone with additional information about the case to come forward and contact the Moncks Corner Police Department to speak with Detective Colton Whitley.
