On the evening of September 14, 2023, 19-year-old Austin Morgan, a Black male, was fatally shot in Columbia, South Carolina. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the 1000 block of Mandel Drive, near Broad River and Piney Woods roads. Morgan had driven to an abandoned home in a neighborhood where he used to live. After exiting his vehicle, he was reportedly surrounded by several individuals.
Feeling threatened, Morgan returned to his car and attempted to drive away.
As he did, a 16-year-old male, later identified as Shawn Zeno, opened fire, striking Morgan twice. The gunshots caused Morgan to crash his vehicle into a nearby fence. He was discovered lying in front of a mailbox and was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. An off-duty deputy witnessed a portion of the events.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department quickly identified a suspect, and the 16-year-old, Shawn Zeno, was arrested and charged with murder. In September 2025, Zeno, then 18, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The plea and sentence were met with anguish by Morgan's family, who did not feel that justice was served.
Austin Morgan was remembered by his family and friends as a hardworking graduate of Irmo High School who was employed at Meetze Plumbing. He had a passion for mechanics, hunting, fishing, and dirt biking. Described as having an infectious smile and a loving nature, he was a devoted protector of his family, especially his mother. His loved ones filled the courtroom during the sentencing, wearing blue ribbons to honor his memory and express their profound loss.
