ANDERSON, S.C. — Two security guards were fatally shot early Sunday at a local bar, marking a tragic incident that has left the community in shock. The Anderson Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at Truth Bar & Grill on West Franklin Street shortly after 3:15 a.m.
According to the Anderson County Coroner’s Office, the shooting resulted in five victims, with Calvin Chester Jr., 54, and Roymad McDaniel, 30, both losing their lives. Chester was a father of ten, leaving behind a grieving family. The deaths have been classified as homicides.
Witnesses reported that an altercation preceded the shooting. Chester reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the head, while McDaniel was shot in the chest. Autopsies for both men are scheduled to take place this week, as investigators work to uncover detailed circumstances surrounding the incident.
Edtoinna Chester, Calvin’s wife, described her harrowing experience of witnessing the violence. She arrived at the bar to pick up her husband only to hear the chaos erupt. “The last thing I saw was him walking around the side of the building, and then I heard the gunfire,” she said, expressing her profound loss. Married for 18 years, Edtoinna described her late husband as her protector and a devoted family man. “They don’t realize they took a big impact away from us all. He looked after everybody,” she added, mourning the loss of a man who dedicated his life to safeguarding those around him.
In addition to the fatalities, three other individuals were injured during the shooting. They were transported to AnMed for treatment; two sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while one underwent surgery but is expected to recover fully.
Authorities indicate that multiple shooters were involved in the incident. Investigators have not yet established which individuals were responsible for the injuries or fatalities. The Anderson County Coroner’s Office, alongside local police and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, is pursuing an ongoing investigation into the shooting.
Community members are left grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, which has cast a pall over the city. As the investigation continues, local leaders and citizens alike are seeking answers and pushing for enhanced measures to ensure safety in public spaces.