Full Breakdown
Deadly Shooting in Florence: Three Arrested
2/20/2026, 11:03:17 PM
Incident Overview
On Monday, a shooting in the parking lot of the Coit Village Apartment complex on North Coit Street in Florence, South Carolina, resulted in the death of 23-year-old Deandre Demetris Lyde. The Florence Police Department responded to reports of shots fired around 2:47 p.m. and pronounced Lyde dead at the scene. Following the incident, three suspects were arrested on Tuesday in Darlington County.
Arrested Individuals
The suspects charged in connection with the shooting are:
- Messiah King, 19, of Florence: Charged with murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, aggravated breach of peace, and criminal conspiracy.
- Sebastian Gaskins, 19, of Pamplico: Charged with murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, aggravated breach of peace, and criminal conspiracy.
- Davion Price, 22, of Lynchburg: Charged with murder and criminal conspiracy.
All three men are currently held at the Florence County Detention Center, where they were denied bond due to the severity of the charges.
Context and Family Reactions
During a bond hearing, family members of the victim expressed their grief and concern over gun violence among youth. Petual Johnson, Lyde's mother, lamented the loss of her son, stating, "I only had 23 years of my life, and this is getting worse and worse." She highlighted the increasing frequency of shootings and the lack of fear among perpetrators. Rufus Johnson, Lyde's uncle, echoed her sentiments, noting the pain experienced by families on both sides of the tragedy.
In contrast, family members of the suspects claimed that the shooting was an act of self-defense, although they did not provide further details. Gaskins raised questions during the hearing regarding the investigation, but the judge reminded him that the hearing was limited to bond considerations.
Official Statements
Captain Stephen Starling, the interim chief of police, confirmed the arrests and the charges against the suspects. The police investigation revealed that a silver Honda Accord was involved in the incident, with individuals in the vehicle having an interaction with Lyde before the shooting occurred. An autopsy for Lyde is scheduled to take place at the Medical University of South Carolina.
What's Next
The three suspects are set to appear in court on June 30 at the Florence County Detention Center. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continues, with authorities seeking to clarify the events leading up to the incident.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the police have confirmed the charges against the suspects, details regarding the nature of the interaction between the suspects and the victim remain unclear. Additionally, the claims of self-defense made by the suspects' families have not been substantiated with further evidence or elaboration.
