Bennettsville, South Carolina — The Bennettsville community is reeling after 18-year-old Towan Harrington was shot and killed Monday night near the Bennets Pointe Apartments on Cheraw Highway. Local authorities confirmed Harrington’s death, marking a heartbreaking moment for family, friends, and neighbors who knew him.
It happened just after dusk on January 26, 2026, when officers were called to the apartment complex following reports of gunfire. Marlboro County Chief Deputy Larry Turner said Harrington had sought help after suffering gunshot wounds but succumbed to his injuries before he could be saved.
Coroner De’Aron Smith formally identified the young man as a Bennettsville resident. Emergency workers pronounced him dead at the scene after notices were sent to his next of kin. The news spread quickly through the tight-knit community, leaving loved ones mourning someone taken far too soon.
Law enforcement from multiple agencies are combing through evidence as part of a full investigation. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, and the Coroner’s Office are all involved, and a forensic autopsy has been scheduled later this week to clarify the official cause and manner of death.
Bennettsville Police Chief Sammy Crosland said local officers are assisting the sheriff’s team with interviews and scene work. While updates remain sparse, authorities stressed the investigation is active and that no arrests have been announced yet.
Those who knew Towan remember an energetic teen with dreams and family ties deeply rooted in the area. Neighbors described the scene as somber in the hours after the shooting, with many residents offering prayers and unified support for the Harrington family. Community members gathered at the apartment complex Tuesday, laying flowers and candles where Towan’s life was lost.
Leaders in Bennettsville have called for calm as the community processes the tragedy. “This is a devastating loss for all of us,” one resident said. “Towan was someone who had so much ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” As the investigation continues, friends and families continue to lean on one another, trying to make sense of a loss that’s difficult to grasp.
