A festive summer evening turned tragic during Pageland’s annual Watermelon Festival on Friday, July 18, 2025, when gunfire erupted near a crowded intersection, claiming the life of a 17-year-old boy and sending shockwaves through the close-knit South Carolina community.
The shooting occurred around 10:41 p.m. at the intersection of McGregor and South Pearl Street, in the heart of the festival, just feet from the Pageland Police Department’s tent and within yards of Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office deputies providing security. Amid the sounds of carnival rides, vendor booths, and lively crowds, gunshots rang out, causing dozens of festivalgoers to flee in panic, according to witnesses.
The victim, a 17-year-old Pageland resident, was struck by gunfire and collapsed near the intersection. Emergency responders acted swiftly, initially requesting a medical helicopter to airlift the critically injured teen from Pageland Airport. However, due to the severity of his condition, first responders decided to transport him by ambulance to a trauma center near Charlotte. Tragically, sources confirmed the teen did not survive the journey and was pronounced dead before reaching the hospital. The Chesterfield County Coroner’s Office officially confirmed the death around midnight.
Agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrived promptly to lead the investigation, taking over from the Pageland Police Department. Crime scene technicians and SLED investigators worked through the early morning hours of Saturday, July 19, meticulously collecting evidence, photographing the scene, and marking locations where the shooter may have fired and where the victim fell. A second trail of blood discovered near the crime scene has led investigators to believe another individual may have been injured, though no additional victims have been confirmed. Regional hospitals were reportedly notified to watch for patients seeking treatment for gunshot wounds, a standard procedure in such cases.
The Pageland Police Department issued a brief statement early Saturday, confirming the shooting and the victim’s age but withholding further details about the circumstances or any ongoing threat to the public. Pageland Police Chief Dean Short expressed the community’s grief, stating, “Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the young individual whose life was tragically lost. This is a heartbreaking event that deeply impacts our entire community.”
In the wake of the tragedy, town officials made the difficult decision to cancel all remaining events of the Watermelon Festival. A statement posted on the Town of Pageland’s social media read, “With deep sadness, we announce that all remaining events for the Watermelon Festival have been canceled in light of Friday night’s tragic incident. Out of respect for the victim and their family, we believe this is the most appropriate course of action. Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence. We thank our community for their understanding and ask everyone to continue supporting one another during this difficult time.”
As of Saturday, July 19, 2025, no suspect has been publicly identified, and the investigation remains active. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact SLED or the Pageland Police Department to assist in the ongoing investigation. The Pageland community continues to mourn the loss of a young life and grapple with the impact of this devastating event.
