Shyheim Deangelo Kennedy was 16 when he was shot and killed on the evening of July 16, 2014, while walking home from a local store a short distance from his mother’s residence in Chester, South Carolina. His father had earlier moved him to North Carolina to try to protect him from rising street violence in Chester, and Shyheim had returned that summer to spend time with family.

Police arrested 17-year-old Robert Isaiah Graham within two days. Investigators said the shooting was tied to gang-related tensions; Graham was identified as a member of the Roundtree Circle gang and the attack was described as retaliation after shots had been fired at some of Graham’s associates. Authorities said Shyheim was not believed to be a gang member but was with members of a rival gang when Graham confronted him.

Graham confessed, later pleaded guilty in May 2015, and in February 2016 was sentenced to 45 years. His defense indicated an intent to appeal, and Graham’s mother said she had tried to get help for his violent behavior and warned probation officials he was dangerous. Does anyone have memories of Shyheim or information about the neighborhood that could help explain how tensions escalated that night?