On February 16, 2026, at approximately 4:52 PM, Florence Police officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 700 block of N. Dargan Street. A 5-year-old child was struck by gunfire and transported to a local hospital, where the child is currently reported to be in stable condition.
Officers who were nearby when the incident occurred observed a silver SUV fleeing the area and initiated a pursuit. The vehicle was later confirmed to be stolen out of Florence County and linked to multiple earlier vehicle break-ins.
With assistance from the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, Darlington Police Department, and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle was located in Darlington County. Three suspects fled into a wooded area but were later taken into custody following a joint search. Firearms and stolen property were recovered.
Our investigation revealed that three masked individuals approached a residence and opened fire. The 5-year old victim was inside of the residence at the time of the shooting.
Arrested:
• Travis Lavance James
• Kemarion Pauley
• One 17-year-old male
Charges include:
• Attempted Murder (7 counts)
• Discharging a Firearm into a Dwelling
• Aggravated Breach of Peace
• Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
• Criminal Conspiracy
Additional charges may follow.
The Florence Police Department remains committed to protecting our community and holding violent offenders accountable.
