Marcus Imperial

Marcus Imperial, a 25-year-old Black man from Ridgeville, South Carolina, was known by loved ones as a charming and beautiful artistic soul with a talent for writing music and a beautiful voice. To his friends, he was known as "2 Hitta Zoe." Of Haitian descent, Marcus was deeply loved by his mother and grandmother. He attended Summerville High School and enjoyed playing the video game Fortnite. His life was remembered by those who knew him as one filled with promise and creativity, leaving behind a community that mourned the loss of his unique spirit.

On the night of Saturday, March 26, 2022, Marcus was a passenger in a black Nissan Altima traveling with two other men. At approximately 11:15 p.m., as they drove eastbound on Interstate 26 in North Charleston, someone in a second vehicle approached and opened fire. The shooting occurred somewhere between the exits for Montague Avenue and Dorchester Road. The driver of the Nissan continued on before stopping in the 2600 block of Ranger Drive, where police were called for reports of a shooting.

When officers from the North Charleston Police Department arrived, they found the Nissan Altima stopped in the road. They ordered the three occupants out of the car and discovered Marcus Imperial in the backseat. He was already deceased when they reached him. The Charleston County Coroner's Office later confirmed that Marcus died from a gunshot wound at 11:32 p.m. at the scene. His death was officially ruled a homicide.

The North Charleston Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the killing. In the days following the shooting, police publicly appealed for help from the community, asking for any information regarding the vehicle that fired upon the Nissan Altima or the individuals involved. Detectives urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident on the interstate to come forward.

Investigators specifically asked the public to contact Detective George Van Tine or the on-duty detective with any leads. They also provided an option for tips to be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry by phone or through the P3 Tips mobile app. Authorities announced that information leading to an arrest in the case could qualify for a cash reward. Despite these public appeals for assistance, no suspects have been publicly identified and no arrests have been made in connection with the murder.

The case remains an active and open homicide investigation with the North Charleston Police Department. As of the latest available updates, Marcus Imperial’s family and friends are still waiting for answers and for justice to be served. The community continues to hope that new information will emerge to help investigators solve the case and hold the person or persons responsible for his death accountable. A reward for information leading to an arrest is still being offered through Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.