A heated discussion on Facebook escalated to a fatal shooting on the night of Friday, May 1, 2026, on McKowns Mountain Road in Gaffney, South Carolina. The Cherokee County Coroner identified the victim as 54-year-old Tony Lee Byers, who was shot while in the roadway and later died.

Another person was hospitalized in connection with the incident; the extent of that person’s injuries and their role have not been detailed publicly. The Cherokee County Coroner, Dennis Fowler, confirmed Byers’ identity and the basic circumstances, but no information about arrests, suspect identities, or charges has been released and the investigation remains ongoing.

If anyone has information about the incident on McKowns Mountain Road or knew Tony Byers, please come forward to assist the investigation.