A Fourth of July weekend gathering in Batesburg-Leesville turned deadly just after midnight on July 5, 2026. Devante O. Tweety Elliott, 34, and Ronald Cleveland Brown III, 39, were shot and pronounced dead at the scene on Solomon Street; a third person was wounded and taken to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Both victims were Batesburg residents.

The Batesburg-Leesville Police Department, with help from the Saluda County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, processed the scene and interviewed numerous witnesses. Authorities say the investigation is active and have released few details; as of early July 2026 no arrests or public suspects have been announced, and motive and the number of people involved have not been disclosed.

Police have asked anyone who attended the gathering to submit photos or videos via a secure evidence portal and are appealing for information. If anyone was there or has relevant digital evidence, will you contact investigators with what you know?