A quiet Sunday afternoon at the Magnolia Mall in Florence, South Carolina, turned into a scene of tragedy on February 18, 2024, with the death of 15-year-old Avery S. McDonald. The young man, a student at Latta High School, was fatally shot in the mall's parking lot in what authorities have described as a targeted robbery attempt. Avery, who had a twin brother, was remembered as a kind and funny individual.
The incident unfolded around 3 p.m.
when two masked individuals approached the vehicle Avery was in and at least one of them opened fire. A Florence County Sheriff's deputy was the first to arrive on the scene and rendered aid to the teenager before he was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In the days following the shooting, the Florence Police Department made a series of arrests. The first two suspects taken into custody were 18-year-old Javon Norman and an unidentified 15-year-old male. Both were charged with murder and armed robbery. Shortly after, a third suspect, 18-year-old Demarcus Legette, was also apprehended and faced the same charges. Investigators believe the suspects intended to rob Avery before the fatal shots were fired. Both Norman and Legette were denied bond.
The suspects had reportedly fled the scene in a gold Ford Escape, which was later located by law enforcement with the assistance of surveillance footage and tips from the public. The 15-year-old suspect is being held at the Department of Juvenile Justice. In the wake of their son's death, Avery McDonald's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the parent company of the Magnolia Mall, alleging that inadequate security contributed to the fatal shooting.
