Tragic Shooting Incident in Cayce Leaves Community Reeling

Tragic Shooting Incident in Cayce Leaves Community Reeling

Cayce, S.C. – In a shocking event that unfolded Monday afternoon, a 22-year-old man named Jalen Allen from Columbia was fatally shot at the Alight Apartments on Alexander Road. The incident took place shortly after 4 p.m., sending ripples of fear and concern throughout the community.

According to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher, Allen was discovered inside his vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Emergency personnel rushed him to the hospital, but despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead on Tuesday. An autopsy is scheduled for 10 a.m. on September 12 at MUSC in Charleston.

A Community on Edge

Residents of the Alight Apartments expressed both surprise and resignation about the shooting. “While this was sudden and scary, it’s not really a surprise for us,” said Abdorruhman Abdelwahed, a resident who has only lived there for a little over a month. He recounted experiencing two shootings already during his short stay. “It’s really worrying when you think about safety here,” he added.

Visiting his friend at the time, Kerem Tekin recalled his disbelief when he heard the chaos unfold. “I didn’t hear the gunshots, but I did hear a scream—it was alarming.” Tekin described the scene, detailing how he thought at first that Allen had just hurt himself. “There was blood pouring down, and I thought he had just bumped his head. I started calling for an ambulance when I realized something serious was going on.” Tekin quickly learned that it was much worse than an accident; it was a shooting.

The Chaos Unfolds

The police later confirmed that Allen was shot while driving, which caused him to lose control of his vehicle and crash into several others in the parking lot. An email from the apartment management filled residents in on the incident, saying that the situation led to multiple cars being hit. Tekin expressed distress over this, particularly as his vehicle sustained significant damage. “It’s my only means of getting to school and work. Now, I’m stuck facing a long process with insurance claims,” he shared.

Other residents were equally concerned about the atmosphere surrounding their homes. “While I feel safe in my unit, that parking lot is another story,” Abdelwahed noted. The uneasy feeling in the air is something many are grappling with, considering this is not the first time police have responded to distress calls at the complex.

Calls for Improvement

Others are voicing concerns about security measures in place. Tekin mentioned that previous incidents, including another shooting a few weeks earlier, should have prompted the management to improve security by installing cameras. “It’s frustrating that it took something like this for them to realize how serious the situation has become,” he expressed.

Investigation Underway

The investigation into the shooting is currently being led by the Cayce Police Department, along with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office. So far, they believe this shooting was an isolated incident and do not consider there to be a continuous threat to residents. However, the community remains vigilant and hopeful for enhanced safety measures to protect against further violence.

As the autopsy data unfolds and investigations progress, residents are left reflecting on this tragic event—hoping for answers, yet yearning for safety in their once peaceful home. The community is coming together, discussing ways they can encourage management to uplift security measures and ensure that such a devastating incident never strikes again.