PAGELAND, S.C. — What should have been a festive evening at the Pageland Watermelon Festival turned tragic on Friday night when Sean Davis, a 17-year-old student-athlete at Central High School, was fatally shot near the festival grounds.
Davis, a beloved member of both the Central High football and track teams, had planned to compete in the Watermelon Festival 5K on Saturday morning. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the Pageland community and left his school devastated. Central High coaches, teammates, and classmates took to social media over the weekend to mourn the loss of a young life filled with promise and talent.
The fatal shooting occurred around 10:41 p.m., near the intersection of McGregor and South Pearl Street, just as the festival’s opening night was winding down. Witnesses reported a large gathering of teenagers in the area when gunfire erupted, causing chaos and panic among attendees. The shooting happened mere feet from the Pageland Police Department’s tent and within eyesight of Chesterfield County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to provide security at the festival.
Emergency responders were dispatched immediately, initially requesting a medical helicopter to airlift Davis from Pageland Airport. However, first responders determined that the quickest option was ground transport to a trauma center near Charlotte. Despite their swift efforts, Davis was pronounced dead before arriving at the hospital. His death was officially confirmed by the Chesterfield County Coroner’s Office around midnight.
Following a rapid investigation, authorities arrested Jayden Jeremiah Jefferies, 17, of Chesterfield County, late Saturday. Jefferies is charged with murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of a concealed weapon. He is currently being held at the Chesterfield County Jail, with bond denied due to the severity of the charges.
Under South Carolina law, 17-year-olds charged with violent felonies—especially those punishable by 15 years or more in prison—are automatically tried as adults. Chesterfield County Chief Magistrate John Davis confirmed that Jefferies will remain in custody until his appearance before a circuit court judge during a future session of General Sessions Court.
This senseless act of violence has left a deep scar on Pageland, as residents mourn the loss of a young man remembered for his athletic talent, friendly nature, and bright future. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities continue to gather information surrounding the events that led to the fatal shooting.
Funeral arrangements for Sean Davis are expected to be announced in the coming days. Meanwhile, the community rallies together, remembering him not just as a victim, but as a vibrant soul who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
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