DILLON, S.C. — The Dillon County Coroner’s Office has identified 52-year-old Burnie Ray Townsend of Dillon as the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred early Monday morning, November 3, 2025.
According to Dillon County Sheriff’s Office investigators, deputies were called to the scene shortly before 6 a.m. after reports of gunfire in a residential area near Hamer Highway. When law enforcement officers arrived, they found Townsend suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts by emergency medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say the shooting appears to have taken place outside a private residence, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation. Detectives and crime scene units spent several hours combing the area for evidence, collecting shell casings, and canvassing nearby homes for witnesses or surveillance footage that may have captured the incident.
“Right now, we are actively investigating all possible leads,” said Sheriff Douglas Pernell in a statement. “This was a violent act that took a life far too soon. We are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to come forward.”
The Dillon County Coroner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy will be performed later this week at the Medical University of South Carolina to determine the official cause and manner of death.
News of the tragedy has left the Dillon community in deep shock. Friends and neighbors of Burnie Townsend described him as a hardworking, good-natured man who was well-known in the area. “Burnie was just one of those people everyone liked,” said longtime neighbor Clarence Miller. “He was friendly, always smiling, and would give you a hand if you needed it. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
Family members expressed heartbreak and disbelief, saying Townsend was a devoted father, brother, and friend whose absence leaves a void that can never be filled. “He didn’t deserve this,” said one relative. “He was a good man who loved his family and his community.”
As the investigation continues, authorities have not announced any arrests or named potential suspects. However, Sheriff Pernell assured residents that detectives are working tirelessly to bring answers and justice to Townsend’s loved ones.
“This community has been through enough violence,” Pernell said. “We need people to stand together, speak up, and help us stop these senseless acts.”
Residents in the area have begun placing flowers and candles near the scene of the shooting as a makeshift memorial to honor Townsend’s memory. Local faith leaders have also called for a community vigil later this week to remember his life and pray for peace in Dillon County.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC.
For now, the community mourns yet another life lost too soon — a man remembered not for how he died, but for the kindness and warmth he shared in life.
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