Gone Before the Sun Rose”: Columbia Grieves the Heartbreaking Loss of DeShawn Carroway
A heavy cloud of sorrow hangs over Columbia following a tragic early-morning shooting that claimed the life of 29-year-old DeShawn Carroway. The incident, which unfolded in the dark, still hours of Wednesday morning, has left a family shattered and a community reeling. COLUMBIA, S.C. —
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to the sound of gunfire in a residential area and found DeShawn suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite valiant efforts by first responders and medical teams, DeShawn Was pronounced dead at the scene**.
The motive remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made as of this writing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they search for answers in a case that has left far too many questions, and an aching sense of injustice.
DeShawn’s death marks another painful chapter in the ongoing story of gun violence gripping cities across the country — and Columbia is no exception. Yet for those who knew him, this isn’t just another statistic. This is the devastating loss of a son, a brother, a friend, a neighbor, and a bright soul taken too soon.
“He had a heart of gold,” said one family member through tears. “He wasn’t perfect, but he was trying. He wanted better — not just for himself, but for everyone around him.”
DeShawn was known throughout his neighborhood as someone who made people feel welcome. A smile that could disarm even the hardest day, and a laugh that echoed warmly through rooms. He had dreams — big ones. From starting his own business to mentoring youth and giving back to the community that raised him. But all those dreams ended in the flash of a bullet.
Friends and family have begun gathering near the scene of the shooting, placing candles, flowers, and handwritten notes beneath a streetlight now stained by grief. Some cry quietly, others hold each other. Many simply don’t have the words to process the sudden emptiness that DeShawn’s absence has created.
Social media has also become a place of mourning, with tributes pouring in from classmates, coworkers, and childhood friends. Each post paints a picture of a man who was flawed like all of us — but full of heart, full of hope, and undeserving of such a tragic end.
As Columbia braces for another funeral, another headline, and another life lost too soon, the pain is accompanied by a growing call for change. A community cries not only for DeShawn, but for every young life caught in the crossfire of senseless violence.
Funeral arrangements are being made and will be shared in the coming days. In the meantime, those who loved DeShawn continue to ask the most heartbreaking question of all — *Why?*
Rest in peace, DeShawn Carroway. You are missed, you are loved, and you will never be forgotten.**
