Summerville, South Carolina – Kymeek Traylor Murder: Market Employee Dies During Armed Robbery Inciden

Summerville, South Carolina — The quiet of Saturday night on November 15 turned tragic at Myers Market when 20-year-old Kymeek Traylor lost his life during an armed robbery. The store owner, monitoring security cameras from home, witnessed the sequence unfold in real time—a robbery that escalated into a senseless act of violence. Despite Traylor offering no resistance, he was shot at the scene, leaving the community stunned.

According to Berkeley County authorities, the suspect, identified as 18-year-old Harrison Townsend, entered the Summerville market demanding compliance. Investigators say Traylor immediately followed instructions, providing exactly what Townsend asked for, but the confrontation ended in tragedy nonetheless. Townsend fired a gun, striking Traylor, who could not be saved despite the swift arrival of deputies. The Berkeley County Coroner confirmed Traylor died from gunshot injuries at the scene.

Sheriff Duane Lewis characterized the crime as “heinous and senseless,” emphasizing that there was no justification or self-defense involved. “The victim was fully compliant,” he said, noting that this shooting stands apart from other robberies where panic or resistance might have led to injury. For the family of Traylor, the loss is both devastating and baffling, leaving them with questions about why a young man obeying orders became the target of such lethal violence.

Townsend fled immediately following the shooting, prompting a rapid, multi-agency manhunt involving local, state, and federal resources. Less than 24 hours later, authorities apprehended him at Hill-Finklea Detention Center. While the arrest has brought Townsend into custody, it has not answered the deeper questions surrounding the motives of the attack. Investigators are continuing to examine evidence and seek clarity regarding any potential connection between Traylor and Townsend, though initial findings suggest Traylor was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Law enforcement officials are combing through surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence from the market. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information to come forward by calling 843-719-4412. Authorities hope that public assistance will provide additional insight into the sequence of events and the circumstances that led to this tragic loss.

Friends and community members remember Kymeek Traylor as a kind and respectful young man whose life was full of promise. His death has sent shockwaves through Summerville, highlighting the unpredictability of violence and its profound effects on victims’ families and the surrounding community. Vigils and memorials are being planned to honor Traylor’s memory, emphasizing both grief and the enduring impact he had on those around him.

As investigators continue their work, the tragedy at Myers Market serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by ordinary people in everyday situations. For Traylor’s family, the community, and local authorities, the focus remains on understanding the events that led to his death and preventing such senseless acts in the future. The loss of Kymeek Traylor leaves an indelible mark on Summerville, a reminder of a life ended too soon and a community left seeking answers.