Markayla Aiyonna Roberts was 14 and a freshman at Allendale-Fairfax High School when she was killed in the early morning hours of April 27, 2024. An honor student, Beta Club member and recently promoted JROTC cadet with interests in painting and drawing, she was sleeping at her grandmother’s mobile home in Fairfax with her sister and an 11-month-old cousin when a stray bullet penetrated the residence and struck her in the head. She was taken to Allendale County Hospital, where she died.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is leading the investigation. As of October 29, 2024, no arrests have been announced and no suspects have been publicly identified. The community has expressed anger and called for an end to gun violence while her family continues to grieve.

If anyone was in the Fairfax area the night of April 26–27 or has information that could help identify where the shot came from, please come forward.