On the evening of October 29, 2024, 54-year-old Lori Hope Wind was fatally shot while walking the Sawmill Branch Walking Trail in Summerville, South Carolina. She was with her husband and their dog; her husband suffered multiple gunshot wounds that were life-threatening but he survived. The shooting happened while the couple was on the trail.

The next morning a 20-year-old, Kristofer Kelle McDonald, turned himself in and told authorities he had been illegally hunting deer in the area after dark. He said he fired his 20-gauge shotgun after hearing movement in the leaves and mistook the couple for a deer, firing three to four rounds. McDonald was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; state wildlife authorities added criminal negligent use of a firearm resulting in death, criminal negligent use of a firearm resulting in great bodily harm, and night hunting. A judge set bond at $400,000.

Lori Wind’s husband disputes calling the shooting an accident, noting the suspect was hunting illegally after dark and did not properly identify his target. The community has discussed possible safety measures for the trail, including lights and cameras. If anyone has information about that night or remembers seeing activity near Sawmill Branch Trail on October 29, please come forward.