A 25‑year‑old man was shot and killed just steps from a popular tavern near downtown Greer early Friday, marking one of the first violent deaths reported in the city this year.
Just after 2:15 a.m., Greer police and emergency crews responded to frantic 911 calls about gunfire in the area of Trade Street, close to Ollie’s Tavern and the Blue Ridge Brewing Company. When officers arrived, they found a young man with at least one gunshot wound lying near the grassy area beside the train tracks. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has been identified by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office as Jonathan Gilbert Kraemer, a 25‑year‑old resident of Lyman, South Carolina. Authorities said his death is being investigated as a homicide.
Greer Police confirmed that one person has been detained in connection with the killing, although they have not released the identity of the suspect or details about any charges. Investigators said there is no apparent ongoing threat to the public linked to this incident.
The shooting sent a shock through the normally quiet streets of downtown Greer. Witnesses and nearby business workers told reporters they heard multiple shots and immediately called 911. Staff from Ollie’s Tavern said they were unharmed but rushed outside to help first responders secure the scene.
Business owners in the area described a heavy police presence through the morning hours as detectives processed the scene and residents gathered to try to understand what had happened. The coroner’s office has scheduled an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death.
At least one other person was reported to have been struck by gunfire during the incident and was treated at a nearby hospital before being released, according to law enforcement sources.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Greer Police Department. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life taken far too soon amidst the echoes of a night’s violence.
