Story perspectives

18-Year-Old Charged with Murder in SC State Shooting

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Khamanti L. Kennedy, 18, has been charged with murder in a shooting at South Carolina State University.
The shooting occurred on February 12 at the Hugine Suites housing complex, killing Henry L. Crittington, 19, and Terrell Thomas, 18, and leaving a third student hospitalized.
Authorities say Kennedy engaged in a marijuana deal that escalated to violence.
Kennedy was captured on surveillance footage fleeing the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, with the SC State University Department of Public Safety requesting the inquiry.

History

Historical Context

The War on Drugs began in the 1980s, with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 establishing mandatory minimum sentences that disproportionately affected communities of color. By 2000, drug-related arrests surged, contributing to a prison population that housed nearly 25% of the world's inmates. The recent shooting at South Carolina State University underscores the ongoing violence linked to these policies, prompting calls for reform.

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Story summary

Khamanti L. Kennedy, 18, has been charged with murder in a shooting at South Carolina State University.
The shooting occurred on February 12 at the Hugine Suites housing complex, killing Henry L. Crittington, 19, and Terrell Thomas, 18, and leaving a third student hospitalized.
Authorities say Kennedy engaged in a marijuana deal that escalated to violence.
Kennedy was captured on surveillance footage fleeing the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, with the SC State University Department of Public Safety requesting the inquiry.

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