One person died and nine others were injured when gunfire erupted at a Juneteenth celebration near a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Anderson County, South Carolina, on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
The shooting occurred just before 11:00 p.m. near VFW Post 6089 on Scarborough Road during the county’s sixth annual Juneteenth celebration. At least 10 people were struck by gunfire after a fight broke out on the street, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
The sole fatality was identified as 35-year-old Laporshia Janae Gray Cobb, who died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. One patient was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital, while at least eight others were transported to nearby hospitals in Anderson and Greenville counties.
Officials described the incident as creating a chaotic scene with hundreds of people fleeing the area. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office reported that the mass exodus left “hundreds of people scattered, leaving behind shoes and debris in the roadway.”
More than 100 law enforcement personnel responded to the scene, including deputies, emergency medical services, firefighters, state troopers and personnel from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The large-scale response reflected the severity of the incident and the number of casualties involved.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that while the shooting occurred within feet of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post, the VFW facility had no affiliation with the Juneteenth event itself. The celebration was taking place in the vicinity of the post but was not sponsored or organized by the veterans’ organization.
No suspect has been identified or arrested in connection with the mass shooting. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the investigation remains active, with detectives and deputies continuing to work the unfolding scene. Authorities have not released information about potential motives or the number of shooters involved.
The shooting adds to a concerning pattern of mass violence at community celebrations across the United States. The incident occurred during a holiday weekend traditionally marked by family gatherings and community events celebrating African American freedom and achievement.
Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, was being observed with the county’s sixth annual celebration when the violence erupted. The holiday has gained increased recognition in recent years, becoming a federal holiday in 2021.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has not provided additional details about the victims’ conditions or the circumstances that led to the initial altercation. Investigators are continuing to process evidence from the scene and interview witnesses who were present during the celebration.
The shooting occurred despite the presence of law enforcement in the area, highlighting the challenges authorities face in preventing sudden outbreaks of violence at large public gatherings. The incident took place during what should have been a peaceful community celebration of an important milestone in American history.
Local hospitals in both Anderson and Greenville counties received multiple victims from the shooting, with medical personnel working to treat the wounded throughout the night. The severity of injuries varied among the nine survivors, with one requiring helicopter transport to a trauma center.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that updates on the investigation will be provided as more information becomes available. Authorities are working to piece together the sequence of events that led to the deadly confrontation and identify those responsible for the shooting.
The incident marks another tragic example of gun violence affecting community celebrations, joining a growing list of mass casualty events at public gatherings across the nation. The shooting has left the Anderson County community grappling with the aftermath of violence that struck during what was intended to be a joyous commemoration of freedom and community unity.
