In the quiet, close-knit community of Oak Grove, just outside of Latta, South Carolina, a tragic event shattered the late summer calm. On the evening of Saturday, September 9, 2023, Brandon Seals, a 29-year-old male, was fatally shot. The incident occurred on Westover Road, leaving a family and community in mourning.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Dillon County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation, appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the
perpetrator. As days turned into weeks with no arrests, the family of Brandon Seals, desperate for answers and justice, took matters into their own hands. They offered a $3,500 reward for information that would lead to the arrest of the person responsible for their loved one's death. Their plea for help underscored the profound loss and the urgent need for a resolution.
The investigation, a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, pressed on. The Dillon County Sheriff's Office, along with state and other Pee Dee region officials, worked diligently to piece together the evidence. Their efforts culminated in a significant breakthrough on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, with the arrest of a suspect. Jonathan Van Horn was taken into custody and accused of shooting and killing Brandon Seals. Van Horn was subsequently booked into the Dillon County Detention Center.
Following his arrest, Jonathan Van Horn was charged with murder in connection with the death of Brandon Seals. He appeared before a magistrate for a bond hearing on October 18, 2023. During the hearing, the magistrate denied bond, citing the nature of the charges. The case was then bound over to the Court of General Sessions, where the legal proceedings will continue.
