Aiken County officials have now charged a seventh person in connection with the June 22, 2025, shooting death of 18‑year‑old Tranard Sheppard on Sarah Street in Warrenville. The latest arrest is TaQuan Coach, who was taken into custody on March 16, 2026, and charged with Accessory After the Fact to Murder.
Role in the case
- Accessory‑after‑the‑fact charges typically mean authorities believe Coach knowingly helped the shooter or someone involved avoid arrest or prosecution after the killing, rather than firing the gun himself.
- NewsChannel 6 notes that Coach is no longer listed as an inmate at the Aiken County Jail, which can mean he was released on bond, transferred, or the booking status has not been updated publicly.
Background on TaQuan Coach
- Aiken Public Safety Officers previously reported chasing Coach in 2018 down the Aiken–Augusta Highway, resulting in charges of Failure to Stop for Blue Lights, Simple Possession of Marijuana, and Driving Under Suspension.
- This older case is unrelated to the Sheppard murder but adds to his prior contact with local law enforcement.
Overall case status
- The Tranard Sheppard investigation has now involved a total of seven people allegedly connected to the June 2025 shooting, including multiple teens charged with murder and weapons‑related offenses in earlier arrests.
- The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office has not released a clear public breakdown of who is accused of pulling the trigger, but the expanding number of “accessory” and murder charges suggests investigators are focusing on a broader group involved before, during, or after the shooting.
If you want, I can explain how “Accessory After the Fact to Murder” is usually treated in South Carolina courts (typical penalties, bond issues, etc.).
