Sean Davis: This is Jayden Jefferies, the suspect in shooting death of 17-year-old Sean Davis during the Pageland Watermelon Festival

 S.C. Pageland On Friday, July 18, 2025, a 17-year-old was killed in a terrible shooting at the Pageland Watermelon Festival, and another juvenile was arrested in relation to the incident.

Just before the festival's inaugural night ended, the victim, Sean Davis, a 17-year-old student-athlete at Central High School in Pageland, was shot and killed close to the intersection of McGregor and South Pearl Street in downtown Pageland. On Saturday morning, Davis, who plays football and track for the school, was scheduled to run the 5K at the festival. On social media, Central High's players and coaching staff expressed their sorrow over the passing of the dynamic young athlete.

The shooting occurred around 10:41 p.m. amid a crowd of teenagers gathered in the area. Gunfire sent dozens of festivalgoers fleeing in panic, with the incident unfolding just feet from the Pageland Police Department's tent and in view of Chesterfield County Sheriff's deputies providing security. 

Emergency dispatchers received the initial call for help, and first responders requested a medical helicopter to airlift Davis from Pageland Airport. However, due to the urgency of his condition, they opted to transport him by ambulance to a trauma center near Charlotte. Despite these efforts, Davis was pronounced dead by the Chesterfield County Coroner's Office around midnight.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) took over the investigation, with crime scene investigators working into the early hours of Saturday to document the scene and collect evidence from where the suspect allegedly fired and where Davis fell. Reports indicate a second trail of blood was found near the scene, suggesting another individual may have been injured, though no further details have been confirmed.

On Saturday, authorities arrested 17-year-old Jayden Jeremiah Jefferies, a Chesterfield County resident, in connection with the shooting. Jefferies faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of a concealed weapon. He was booked into the Chesterfield County Jail, where his bond was denied. Under South Carolina law, 17-year-olds charged with serious felonies, such as murder, which carry potential sentences of 15 years or more, are automatically prosecuted as adults, as confirmed by Chesterfield County Chief Magistrate John Davis. Jefferies will remain in custody until his appearance before a circuit court judge at a future General Sessions Court hearing.

Pageland Police Chief Dean Short expressed the community's sorrow, stating, "Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the young individual whose life was tragically lost. This is a heartbreaking event that deeply impacts our entire community." In response to the tragedy, the Town of Pageland canceled all remaining festival events, including the parade and other scheduled activities, out of respect for Davis and his family. Town officials urged the community to come together and support one another during this difficult time.

The investigation, led by SLED, is ongoing, with further updates expected as the case develops. The Pageland Watermelon Festival, a cherished annual tradition since 1951, known for its watermelon-eating contests, parade, and beauty pageant, was shuttered early, leaving the close-knit Chesterfield County community grappling with the loss of a young life.