The quiet hum of a Tuesday night in Rock Hill, South Carolina, was shattered by the piercing sound of gunfire at a QuikTrip gas station on South Cherry Road. Just before 11:30 p.m. on April 22, 2025, a 16-year-old boy named Jayden Reid, a resident of Chester, lay critically wounded in the parking lot, a bullet lodged in his chest. Despite the rapid response of emergency services and his transport to Piedmont Medical Center, Jayden succumbed to his injuries, leaving a community grappling with grief and questions. The loss of a young life, so full of promise, has cast a somber shadow over Rock Hill, prompting an urgent investigation by local law enforcement to uncover the truth behind this tragedy.
Rock Hill Police Department officers arrived swiftly at the scene, responding to frantic calls reporting the shooting. They found Jayden, a teenager described by those who knew him as vibrant and kind, fighting for his life. The gas station, typically a bustling hub for late-night travelers and locals, became a crime scene cordoned off by yellow tape as investigators worked to piece together the events leading to the fatal shot. The York County Coroner’s Office confirmed Jayden’s identity the following afternoon, releasing a statement that underscored the profound loss felt by his family and friends in Chester, a tight-knit community about 20 miles south of Rock Hill.
As detectives delved into the case, their efforts quickly zeroed in on a suspect: 17-year-old Carnell Mike, a Rock Hill resident. By Wednesday, authorities had tracked Mike to Richburg, a small town in Chester County, where he was apprehended with assistance from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Mike was transported to the Rock Hill jail, where he now faces a litany of serious charges, including murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a person under 18. In a significant development, police announced that Mike will be prosecuted as an adult, a decision that reflects the gravity of the allegations against him.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain shrouded in mystery, as authorities have yet to disclose a motive. Was this a random act of violence, a personal dispute, or something else entirely? Investigators are combing through evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing surveillance footage from the QuikTrip, located at the busy intersection of South Cherry Road and Heckle Boulevard, to reconstruct the moments leading up to the tragedy. The lack of public details has only deepened the community’s unease, with residents seeking answers and reassurance in the wake of such a senseless loss.
Jayden’s death marks a heartbreaking chapter in Rock Hill’s ongoing struggle with gun violence, a city that has seen its share of similar incidents in recent years. Community leaders and residents alike are calling for action to address the root causes of such tragedies, from access to firearms to the social pressures facing young people. The York County Coroner’s Office, in a poignant statement, urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in seeking justice for Jayden.
The Rock Hill Police Department has encouraged tips from the public, offering options for anonymity through Crime Stoppers to ensure that no detail, however small, goes unreported. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on piecing together the full story of that fateful night and ensuring accountability for those responsible. For now, the memory of Jayden Reid—a teenager whose life was cut tragically short—lingers in the hearts of those who knew him and a community determined to honor him by seeking truth and healing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rock Hill Police Department at 803-329-7200 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Updates on the case will be provided as new developments emerge, as the city holds its breath for justice and closure.
