South Carolina – In a heartbreaking case in South Carolina, a 7-month-old infant, identified as Z. Smith, lost his life after several gunmen opened fire on his family’s home, striking him as he lay asleep beside his mother. Authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation, yet they have yet to apprehend any suspects.
Police confirmed the killing of 7-month-old Smith in the early hours of August 3, 2025. While no arrests have yet been made, investigators have classified the case as a homicide and vowed to use every resource available to bring those responsible to justice. “This is a senseless and heartbreaking tragedy for our entire community,” Major A. Littlejohn of the police department stated. He emphasized that detectives will not relent until those behind the shooting are identified and charged, urging the public to share any information that could aid the case.
At approximately 4:15 a.m., officers responded to reports of heavy gunfire at a residence. When they arrived, the scene showed multiple signs of violence: bullet holes riddling the exterior, shattered glass, and a trail of blood leading through the apartment. Inside, officers found the young boy critically wounded, having been struck in the neck by a bullet while he slept in the bedroom with his mother. Investigators believe multiple suspects stood outside and fired several rounds into the home, indiscriminately spraying bullets through the walls. Despite rapid response and emergency medical efforts, the infant was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead. His mother, though physically unharmed, is left to grieve the unimaginable — the loss of her child in the very place that should have been safest.
The coroner’s office officially identified the young victim later that day. As the news spread, the community expressed shock and outrage. On social media, a local leader wrote that “this baby lost his life to senseless, unacceptable and tragic actions of someone who thought it was ok to shoot into a home where he was sleeping!!” She stressed that “A LIFE IS A LIFE and LIFE should be PROTECTED AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, VALUED! This must stop!!!! Put the Guns Down!” Neighbors described the area as normally quiet, and many voiced fears for their own children after the shooting. Authorities have not yet determined why the home was targeted, leaving residents unsettled and desperate for answers.
Major Littlejohn reinforced the need for community cooperation, saying that even information that “may seem insignificant” could help solve the case. Police have urged anyone with knowledge of the shooting to come forward, with tips able to be submitted anonymously. The killing of Smith has left not only his mother but the wider community in mourning. Investigators remain tight-lipped about potential motives, but the sheer number of rounds fired has led authorities to describe the attack as both reckless and deliberate.
As the probe continues, police are working with forensic experts to match ballistic evidence and reviewing surveillance from the surrounding area. Detectives stress that the case remains active and are confident that with public assistance, arrests will follow. For now, the family of Smith faces an unimaginable void. The infant, just seven months old, will never celebrate a first birthday — his life cut short not by accident, but by gunfire meant for a home he shared with his loved ones. The police department continues to ask anyone with information to call 864-596-2065. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
