CHARLESTON, S.C. — Friends and family of Tyren Kinloch stood with the Racial Justice Network Thursday to speak out about the decision by the solicitor’s office not to charge the deputy who shot and killed the 17‑year‑old.
SLED investigation summary
A SLED investigation said Kinloch was stopped because of window tint and license plate violations. Investigators said video shows Tyren Kinloch running from Deputy Cpl. Cameron Blackmon while holding a gun, and that the deputy shot him because he believed Kinloch was pointing the gun at him. The report states the deputy fired four shots, hitting Kinloch in the head.
Family’s concerns
The family said the final eight seconds of the footage, which allegedly shows Kinloch pointing the gun, have never been released. Kinloch’s mother said she wants full transparency and answers.
“From the time that he jumped out of the car and he was murdered. I need to know everything. I need to see everything. And I also need to know why at the end, there’s no footage of him pointing a gun. When this officer decided to murder my child. I need to know,” she said.
No charges decision
The Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office sent a letter on July 25, 2025, deciding not to press charges against Cpl. Cameron Blackmon. Solicitor Scarlett Wilson wrote that she believes the state cannot prove Cpl. Blackmon committed any crimes. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.
