In the quiet community of Galivants Ferry, South Carolina, tragedy struck on November 5, 2023, forever altering the lives of those who knew and loved 19-year-old Brooke Lynn Akins. A first-semester student at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Brooke was pursuing her dream of becoming a school teacher, a goal that reflected her generous and caring nature. Remembered as a ray of sunshine by her family, she was known for her selflessness, often prioritizing the needs of others before her own.
Her love for her family was immense, and she cherished the time spent with them.
The night of November 5th unfolded into a nightmare near North Highway 701 in the Loris area. Around 1:15 a.m., Brooke was found with a gunshot wound to her head. Despite being rushed to McLeod Health Loris, her injuries were too severe, and she was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival. The sudden and violent end to a life so full of promise sent shockwaves through the community, leaving her family and friends enveloped in profound grief.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement identified a suspect. William “Cody” Perritt, a 21-year-old from Chadbourn, North Carolina, was arrested at the scene. He and Brooke had been in a relationship, a detail that added another layer of sorrow to the tragic event. Perritt was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. After being evaluated at a local hospital, he was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, where he was held without bail.
The community mourned the loss of a young woman whose kindness had touched many. A graveside service was held on November 11, 2023, at Happy Home Baptist Church Cemetery in Galivants Ferry, where those who cherished Brooke gathered to say their final goodbyes and honor the memory of a life cut tragically short.
