Dillon County Mourns Loss of Tyrese Smith and Ja’Quese Alford in Tragic Shootings
The Dillon County community is grieving the sudden deaths of Tyrese Smith, 22, and Ja’Quese Alford, 18, both residents of Dillon, South Carolina. The young men were fatally shot on Monday evening, March 23, 2026, in two connected incidents that have shaken the area.
According to Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley, the first shooting occurred around 5:00 p.m. on South 9th Avenue, where Tyrese Smith was critically injured and later died at a local hospital. Shortly after, at approximately 5:20 p.m., law enforcement responded to a second shooting on South 1st Avenue. Multiple individuals were injured, including Ja’Quese Alford, who also passed away at the hospital.
Dillon Police Chief Monroe Herring confirmed the incidents are connected and that persons of interest have been identified. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and autopsies for both victims are pending.
Family, friends, and community members remember Tyrese and Ja’Quese as bright, promising young men whose lives were tragically cut short. Dillon County officials urge anyone with information to contact the Dillon Police Department at (843) 774-0051, the Dillon County E-911 non-emergency line at (843) 841-3707, or the Anonymous Tip Line at (843) 774-0051.
The community honors the memories of Tyrese Smith and Ja’Quese Alford, holding onto hope for justice and a reminder of the preciousness of every life lost to violence.