Kymani Baker, an 18-year-old from Ladson, was fatally shot while working at a Sonic Drive-In on Dorchester Road in Dorchester County around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Incident Overview
Coroner Paul Brouthers pronounced Baker dead at the scene at 9:35 a.m., confirming the shooting occurred during his shift at the fast-food restaurant. The incident prompted a shelter-in-place order nearby, later lifted, with nearby schools like Oakbrook Elementary and Fort Dorchester Elementary briefly placed on secure protocol.​
Investigation Status
Summerville Police Department and the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office are actively investigating, with no suspects in custody as of January 9. An autopsy is scheduled for January 15 at the Medical University of South Carolina; rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement involvement were debunked by police.​
