In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 13, 2025, at approximately 1:20 a.m., officers with the Gaffney Police Department were dispatched to Cherokee Medical Center after a gunshot victim was brought in by private vehicle. The victim, identified as 46-year-old Joshua Wood of Gaffney, was initially stabilized at Cherokee Medical Center before being transported by ground ambulance to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for further treatment. Despite medical efforts, Wood succumbed to his injuries during surgery at 4:13 a.m.
The Cherokee County Coroner’s Office and Gaffney Police Department determined that the shooting occurred at a nightclub located on West Birnie Street in downtown Gaffney. The incident stemmed from an argument between Wood and another individual, which escalated into a fatal shooting. The area was bustling with activity due to the ongoing Peach Festival, a popular annual event that attracts large crowds and a significant law enforcement presence.
Despite the heightened police presence and the large number of festivalgoers, authorities did not receive immediate 911 calls or reports of gunfire from the vicinity of the shooting. This delay in notification may have affected the initial response time and remains a critical detail in the ongoing investigation.
The Gaffney Police Department, in collaboration with the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office, has launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wood’s death. Detectives are actively gathering evidence, reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding area, and seeking witnesses who may have observed or heard anything related to the incident. An autopsy has been scheduled to further assist in the investigation.
Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid in the investigation. Individuals who were in or around the nightclub or the general area of West Birnie Street during the early morning hours of July 13 are encouraged to share any details, including eyewitness accounts or cellphone videos, which could be crucial in piecing together the events leading to this tragedy.
“This was a senseless act of violence that occurred during a time when our community should have been united in celebration,” said a spokesperson from the Gaffney Police Department. “We are committed to identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice. We ask for the community’s assistance in this effort.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective John Neal at (864) 206-3341 or Major Brian Blanton at (864) 206-3334. All calls will be handled with discretion, and anonymity can be requested.
As this remains an active and ongoing investigation, no additional details are being released at this time. The Gaffney Police Department will provide updates as new information becomes available.
The Gaffney Police Department and the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Joshua Wood during this difficult time.
