In the small town of Neeses, South Carolina, the life of 31-year-old Jamar 'Rock' Tyler, a Black male, was cut short on the evening of January 6, 2024. Orangeburg County sheriff's deputies responded to a call on Majesty Street shortly before 10 p.m. to find a chaotic scene with multiple people screaming that their cousin had been shot. Upon their arrival, they discovered a handgun on the ground and Jamar Tyler lying beside a vehicle with gunshot wounds.
Despite the application of a tourniquet by a deputy to control the bleeding and the efforts of EMS, Tyler was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The initial moments of the investigation were fraught with confusion, as onlookers were yelling and stating they had not seen anything. However, some individuals at the scene did tell deputies that the 'Singleton boys' were responsible for the shooting. This information ultimately led to a breakthrough in the case. Through witness identification from a photo lineup and written statements, investigators were able to secure arrest warrants for two suspects.
Brandon Oneal Youmans, 38, of Blackville, and Dwayne D. Singleton, 47, of Norway, were subsequently arrested and charged in connection with Jamar Tyler's death. Both men face charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The community mourned the loss of Tyler, who was described as a significant part of their lives. A fundraiser was organized to help with his burial expenses and to support his children. His funeral was held on January 14, 2024, at Bushy Pond Baptist Church in Norway, followed by his interment at South End Cemetery in Bamberg.
