In the predawn hours of August 3, 2025, the quiet of a Spartanburg, South Carolina, neighborhood was shattered by the piercing sound of gunfire. At approximately 4:15 a.m., police officers responded to a call reporting shots fired at 314 Collins Avenue, Apartment B. What they discovered inside the modest apartment was a scene so harrowing it would leave an indelible mark on the community: Zymir Demarco Smith, a 7-month-old infant, lay lifeless, struck by a bullet in the neck as he slept beside his mother. Despite the rapid response of emergency medical personnel, Zymir was pronounced dead at the scene, his brief life extinguished in an act of senseless violence that has left Spartanburg grieving and searching for answers.
The Spartanburg Police Department arrived to find evidence of a barrage of gunfire that had torn through the apartment’s walls and windows. A trail of blood led officers to the heart-wrenching discovery of Zymir, an innocent child caught in a hail of bullets. Initial investigations suggest that the shooting was deliberate, targeting the residence for reasons yet to be fully understood. Authorities have emphasized that Zymir was not the intended target, but this fact offers little solace to a family and community devastated by his loss. The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office confirmed the infant’s identity, noting that he was a resident of the home where the tragedy unfolded.
Major Art Littlejohn, a spokesperson for the Spartanburg Police Department, addressed the public with a voice heavy with resolve and sorrow. He described the incident as a “heartbreaking tragedy” that has shaken the entire city. The police are deploying every available resource to identify and apprehend those responsible, combing through security footage from nearby areas and conducting interviews with potential witnesses. The investigation is in its early stages, but the urgency to deliver justice for Zymir is palpable. Authorities believe multiple suspects were involved, though no arrests have been made as of yet.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting paint a grim picture. Zymir and his mother were asleep when the gunfire erupted, transforming a moment of peace into one of unimaginable horror. The bullets that pierced the apartment’s exterior were indiscriminate, claiming the life of a child who had only begun to experience the world. The senselessness of the act has sparked outrage and grief, with community members struggling to comprehend how such violence could claim one so young and innocent.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Spartanburg Police Department has issued a plea for public assistance. They are urging anyone who was near Collins Avenue in the early hours of August 3 to come forward with information, no matter how minor it may seem. A dedicated tip line, (864) 596-2065, has been established, and anonymous tips are being encouraged to ensure that fear does not silence potential leads. The police have stressed that even the smallest detail could prove pivotal in piecing together the events that led to Zymir’s death and bringing those responsible to justice.
Zymir Demarco Smith, though only 7 months old, was a source of boundless joy for his family. His smile, his budding curiosity, and the warmth he brought to those around him were gifts that touched lives in profound ways. His death has left a void that words cannot fully capture, and the community is rallying to honor his memory. Vigils and memorial events are being organized, offering a space for collective mourning and reflection. These gatherings serve not only to celebrate Zymir’s brief but impactful life but also to underscore the urgent need to address gun violence that claims the most vulnerable among us.
The loss of Zymir has become a rallying cry for Spartanburg, a city now united in its demand for justice and change. His name has come to symbolize the innocence stolen by violence and the collective responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. As the investigation continues, the community holds its breath, hoping for answers that will bring closure to a grieving family and accountability to those who committed this heinous act.
For Zymir’s family, the pain of his absence is immeasurable, yet they are not alone. Spartanburg stands with them, offering support, prayers, and a commitment to ensuring that Zymir’s memory endures. The city’s resolve to seek justice is unwavering, as is its determination to prevent such tragedies in the future. Zymir Demarco Smith, taken far too soon, will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of a community united in grief and hope.
