Murder Charges Filed After Deadly Drug Deal at South Carolina State University

COLUMBIA, S.C. — An 18-year-old man, Khamanti Lytrel Kennedy, has been charged with murder following a marijuana deal that resulted in a tragic shooting at South Carolina State University. This incident led to the deaths of two individuals and left another injured inside a dorm room.

The shooting occurred at the Hugine Suites housing complex on a Thursday night. According to police, Kennedy fled the scene, and he was not a student at the university. He was previously out on bond for a gun-related incident on campus.

The victims, 19-year-old Henry L. Crittington and 18-year-old Terrell Thomas, were not affiliated with the university. The identity and condition of the injured individual, who is a student, have not been disclosed.

Witnesses reported that Kennedy arrived with three others in a vehicle, and the shooting took place during a drug transaction in the dorm room. The arrest warrant did not specify who fired the shots.

This incident marks the second fatal shooting on campus in just over four months. Following an earlier shooting during homecoming celebrations, the university implemented enhanced security measures that aided in identifying Kennedy as a suspect.

During a recent court appearance in Orangeburg County, Kennedy was denied bond and appeared without legal representation. In response to the recent violence, university officials have announced new security protocols, including restricted campus access for visitors and an increased police presence. The university is also seeking $8 million for further security enhancements.

South Carolina State University, established in 1896, is the only public historically Black university in the state, serving over 2,900 students.

As the university community reflects on these events, they also remember the 58th anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre, a significant historical event linked to civil rights struggles on campus.