On Saturday night, Nov. 15, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office arrested 18-year-old Harrison Charles Townsend of Nexton for the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Kymeek T. Traylor during what authorities say was an armed robbery at Myers Market in Summerville.
According to deputies, the store owner spotted suspicious activity on his surveillance cameras just before 9:30 p.m. and called dispatch. When law enforcement arrived moments later, they found Traylor unresponsive inside the market. The Berkeley County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Traylor died at the scene from gunshot injuries.
Sheriff Duane Lewis publicly condemned the violence, calling the killing “heinous and senseless.” He emphasized that Traylor was fully compliant during the robbery, saying the suspect showed a “shocking disregard for human life.” That sense of betrayal has rattled the community, as people grieve over the loss of someone just starting out.
Investigators say Townsend fled right after the shooting, sparking a swift manhunt coordinated by multiple agencies — including Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Their combined efforts paid off: Townsend was taken into custody in under 24 hours. He has since been booked into Hill-Finklea Detention Center, and he’s formally charged with murder.
Authorities stress that the case is still very active. Detectives are sorting through security footage, interviewing witnesses, and piecing together how things escalated so quickly inside the store. It also remains unclear whether Townsend had any prior connection to Traylor, the store, or other people related to the incident.
The community response has been heavy. Many locals have described the crime as senseless — a young life ended in what should have been just another shift. Sheriff Lewis and his team are urging anyone with information — even small details — to reach out to detectives at 843-719-4412.
This arrest, while significant, is just one piece of a painful puzzle. As the investigation continues, people are holding their breath, hoping for clarity, justice, and some peace in a place that now feels a little more fragile.
