Lonnie Alford Ray, 76, was a Bishopville, South Carolina dog breeder, Army Vietnam veteran and carpenter who loved his family. On the evening of February 6, 2023, he went to a KFC parking lot in Bishopville to sell a French bulldog for $2,500 and was accompanied by an acquaintance.

What began as a business transaction turned deadly when several men ambushed Ray, grabbed the dog’s leash and opened fire. Ray was struck by multiple gunshots and died a short time later; his companion was not injured. The shooting prompted an intensive investigation by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and a public appeal for information that could identify the attackers.

The community remembers Ray for his family life and his work with animals. If anyone has information about the shooting or the people involved that has not yet been reported, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.