Sherrod Carlton Smith, 31, was fatally shot in the early morning hours of April 3, 2020, while sitting in his vehicle in the backyard of a residence on South Main Street in Sumter. The shooting occurred around 3 a.m.; a 37-year-old woman with Smith escaped without physical harm. An unknown person approached the parked car and opened fire, initially leaving investigators seeking public help and offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.

Police later linked the killing to a countywide crime spree that night. Three people — Travon Ragin, Fredron Spann, and Justice Brock — were breaking into vehicles across the area and ended up at the car where Smith and his friend were sitting. Investigators say Ragin opened the driver’s side door and shot Smith in the arm; as Smith tried to flee through the passenger side, Ragin fired again, striking him in the head and then robbing him. Ragin, Spann and Brock were charged in connection with the murder.

A jury convicted Travon Ragin of murder, armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and he received life plus concurrent terms for the related counts. Spann and Brock pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. If anyone knew Sherrod Smith or has information about what happened that night, please share what you know.