One person died and nine others were injured when gunfire erupted during a Juneteenth celebration near a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Anderson County, South Carolina, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. The shooting occurred just before 11:00 p.m. local time along Scarborough Road, where the county’s sixth annual Juneteenth celebration was taking place.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office reported that at least 10 people were gunned down after a fight ensued on the street and shots rang out. The sole fatality was identified as 35-year-old Laporshia Janae Gray Cobb, who died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Among the nine injured victims, one patient was flown to Greenville Memorial Hospital while at least eight others were transported to nearby hospitals in Anderson and Greenville. The wounded victims ranged in age from 15 to 28 years old, with all listed in stable condition at area hospitals according to officials.
Law enforcement described the scene as chaotic, with the shooting leaving “hundreds of people scattered, leaving behind shoes and debris in the roadway,” according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office news release. The incident created panic among the large crowd attending the celebration, which marked the end of slavery in the United States.
More than 100 law enforcement personnel, emergency medical services, firefighters, state troopers, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources responded to the scene. The shooting occurred outside within feet of VFW Post 6089, though authorities emphasized that the post was not involved in organizing or hosting the Juneteenth celebration. The proximity to the facility was coincidental, according to the sheriff’s office statement.
Investigators found evidence of multiple weapons being used in the attack. Officers recovered 21 shell casings that indicated three different weapons were fired during the incident. The rapid gunfire created additional chaos as hundreds of celebrants fled the area seeking safety.
No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and the suspect or suspects have not been identified. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the investigation remains active, with detectives and deputies continuing to work the unfolding scene. Authorities have not released information about potential motives for the attack.
The investigation involves processing a large crime scene area where hundreds of people had gathered for the holiday celebration. Authorities are working to interview witnesses and collect evidence from the shooting location along Scarborough Road.
Emergency responders worked quickly to transport the injured victims to multiple medical facilities in the region. The coordination between Anderson County emergency services and Greenville area hospitals ensured rapid treatment for those wounded in the attack.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has not provided additional details about the circumstances leading up to the violence or whether the shooting was targeted or random. Investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events that led to the deadly outbreak of gunfire during the community celebration.
The incident marks a tragic end to what was meant to be a joyful community gathering celebrating an important milestone in American history. The Juneteenth celebration had drawn a large crowd of families and community members before the violence erupted late in the evening.
Authorities have indicated they will provide updates as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available. The sheriff’s office continues to process the crime scene and interview potential witnesses who were present during the shooting.
