Damari Briggs

Damari Briggs, a 14-year-old Black teenager known affectionately to his loved ones as “Chunk,” was remembered as a positive and respectful young man. Born on July 30, 2008, Damari was a boy whose character left a lasting impression on those he met. A person who knew him in the fourth grade recalled him as being consistently positive and respectful during their talks. On an online memorial, those who loved him described him as a “sweet” kid and a “protector.” These memories paint a picture of a well-regarded young man with a promising life ahead of him.

That life was tragically cut short by gun violence on the evening of Friday, January 20, 2023, in Darlington, South Carolina. The specific details surrounding the fatal shooting, including the precise time and location, have not been publicly released by law enforcement. The events that led to a 14-year-old losing his life remain unclear, leaving his family and community with painful, unanswered questions about what happened that night and why. His death was a sudden and devastating loss that rippled through his community.

The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched a homicide investigation into the case. In the early stages of the inquiry, investigators announced that they were searching for a vehicle that was possibly involved in the deadly shooting. Deputies began the methodical process of gathering evidence and appealing to the public for any information that could help them piece together the sequence of events that led to the fatal encounter. The investigation into Damari's death was quickly underway, but details remained scarce.

In the week following the tragedy, family and friends gathered to honor Damari’s memory and support one another in their grief. A public visitation was held on Friday, January 27, 2023, at the JP Holley Funeral Home's Bishopville Chapel. The next day, a funeral service was conducted at Hartsville Middle School, allowing for a larger gathering of mourners. The depth of their loss was reflected in the heartfelt tributes left on his memorial pages, with messages like "Justice will be served baby boy!!!", "You are missed!!!", and "Gone but never forgotten."

The violent death of a teenager inflicts a unique and profound trauma on any community. Darlington, a city located in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, is a place of deep historical roots, but like many areas, it is not immune to such tragedies. When a young life is lost in this manner, it leaves friends, neighbors, and the wider community shaken and searching for solace and answers, while law enforcement is tasked with the critical responsibility of finding the perpetrator.

As of the most recent updates, the investigation into the homicide of Damari Briggs remains open and active. The Darlington County Sheriff's Office has not announced any arrests or publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest in the case. For the family and friends of Damari, the wait for justice is an ongoing burden. No reward for information leading to an arrest has been publicized, but the hope for a breakthrough endures for a community still mourning the loss of a young boy.