Kai’Bienn Bookhart was 16 when he was shot and killed on January 7, 2023, in Santee, South Carolina. The shooting happened around 3:15 p.m. on the 100 block of Cecelia Street while a group of juveniles had gathered to play basketball; Kai’Bienn had arrived to play with friends and was struck during the gunfire that erupted. Police said investigators were still trying to determine how the shooting started and asked anyone with information to contact the Santee Police Department.

Known affectionately as Mistah, Kai’Bienn was born May 4, 2006, in Orangeburg to Kesha Fogle and Katrell La’Juan Bookhart. Funeral services were held January 14, 2023, at Saluda Baptist Church in Elloree, with burial in the church cemetery and visitation at Simmons Funeral Home of Santee. Shortly after the shooting, authorities arrested an 18-year-old man, Dre’moreon Smalls, who was charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and jailed without bond.

Many details about what led up to the shooting remain unclear. If anyone was at the game or has information about that afternoon on Cecelia Street, please come forward and share what you know.