Caleb Jamar Elijah Roach was an 18-year-old senior at Spartanburg High School with plans to attend Johnson C. Smith University to study music and biology. Known as Demo Duck, he was active in JROTC, part of a rap group called Otha Side with his brothers and godbrothers, and remembered for working to keep peace among those he loved.

On the evening of February 20, 2019, Caleb was a passenger in a moving vehicle in Spartanburg when another passenger retrieved a handgun from under a seat. That passenger removed the magazine and believed the gun was unloaded before pulling the trigger; an unfired round remained in the chamber and struck Caleb. He was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center and died of trauma-related injuries.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office investigated and, after interviewing those involved and reviewing preliminary evidence, described the shooting as a tragic accident. The Sheriff’s Office consulted the Solicitor’s Office and, with Caleb’s mother in agreement, no criminal charges were filed. Anyone who knew Caleb or has information about that night is asked to share what they know.