In the early evening of Wednesday, April 10, 2024, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace in the parking lot of the Red Bay Store on Boulevard Road in Sumter, South Carolina. When the echoes of the shots faded, 20-year-old RayQuan Dontrell Lamont Durant, a male resident of Sumter, was left lying wounded. Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, and he was rushed to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life.
Tragically, his injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Sumter Police Department launched an immediate investigation into the homicide, with officers canvassing the area for evidence and seeking to understand the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the precise cause of death. In the days following the incident, law enforcement officials appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward. A reward of up to $5,000 was offered for any tips that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for RayQuan's death.
As part of their ongoing investigation, the Sumter Police Department released information about a vehicle of interest—a grey Dodge Charger that was seen in the vicinity of the Red Bay Store around the time of the shooting. They have continued to seek information from the community regarding this vehicle and its occupants. To date, no arrests have been announced in connection with the murder of RayQuan Dontrell Lamont Durant, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The investigation remains active as his family and community await answers and hope for justice.
