Gunfire During Juneteenth Celebration in South Carolina Results in One Death and Multiple Injuries

A violent incident erupted during a Juneteenth event near a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hall in South Carolina, leaving one person dead and approximately ten others injured. The chaos unfolded around 10 p.m. when a fight broke out outside the VFW post near Greenville.

Shots were fired amid the altercation, causing attendees to panic and scatter in all directions, often leaving behind shoes and debris on the roadway. Authorities reported that the violence occurred mere feet from the VFW, which has no connection to the celebration itself.

The victim who lost their life, 35-year-old Laporshia Janae Gray Cobb, was pronounced dead at the scene due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Emergency responders transported at least nine others to local hospitals, including one individual who was flown to Greenville Memorial Hospital. Several victims sustained injuries requiring medical attention.

Officials responded swiftly, with over 100 law enforcement officers, EMTs, and firefighters arriving at the scene to manage the aftermath. The incident took place during the sixth annual Juneteenth celebration on Scarborough Road, which commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States.

The sheriff’s office clarified that the shooting occurred outside the VFW and that the post has no affiliation with the event. As of now, authorities have not released details about the victims’ identities or the motives behind the shooting.