The evening of April 13, 2026, ended in tragedy in Jackson, South Carolina, when 17-year-old Kahlil Simmons was fatally shot one day after his birthday. Deputies from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 100 block of Goodman Road around 6:30 p.m. and found two male victims; Kahlil had multiple gunshot wounds to his body and head and was pronounced dead at 7:13 p.m. A 16-year-old was also shot and taken to a hospital.

The investigation resulted in five arrests. Eighteen-year-old Jared Grant Marsh II and 17-year-old Tyler Hans Lariscey were charged with murder; Marsh also faces a weapons charge. Sixteen-year-old Bradley Caulifford was charged with murder, attempted murder, and a weapons offense and is being held at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Two 40-year-olds, Tarah Alexander and Bryan Alexander, were charged with accessory after the fact; an arrest warrant alleges Tarah was told about the murder and disposed of guns and clothing used in the incident. No motive has been released, and authorities say some suspects may claim self-defense.

Kahlil was remembered by family and friends as a high school student on the verge of graduating early; mourners held a vigil at the scene wearing blue. Does anyone who knew Kahlil or witnessed the April 13 scene have information that could help clarify what happened?