In the quiet town of McCormick, South Carolina, a community was shaken by the tragic death of 25-year-old Billy DeShawn 'BJ' Watson, a male resident of Greenwood. The incident, which occurred on a Monday evening in April 2023, marked the first homicide in the town in three decades, leaving a profound impact on its residents.
The McCormick County Sheriff's Office responded to a call concerning a shooting on factions drive, where they discovered Watson with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Despite being rushed to the McCormick County Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. The news of his untimely death sent ripples of grief through the community, prompting a candlelight vigil in his memory just days later. Family, friends, and neighbors gathered to honor the man they had lost and to seek solace in their shared sorrow.
The investigation into Watson's death was a collaborative effort involving the McCormick County Sheriff's Office, the McCormick Police Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office. Their diligent work led to the identification and arrest of two suspects: Deon Taryell Lomax, 28, and Dikembe Jessie Settles, 27. Lomax was taken into custody on April 5, 2023, followed by the arrest of Settles five days later. Both men faced serious charges, including murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Additionally, Lomax was charged with attempted murder in connection with the same incident.
The community, still reeling from the shock of the homicide, was further unsettled by the brazen nature of the crime. The arrests brought a sense of relief to some, but the underlying questions and the pain of Watson's loss remained. The subsequent legal proceedings would be closely watched as a town sought justice for a life cut short.
