In Loving Memory of Henry L. Crittington and Terrell Thomas

In Loving Memory of Henry L. Crittington and Terrell Thomas

Orangeburg County, South Carolina — A profound wave of sorrow has settled over the campus of South Carolina State University following a tragic shooting that claimed the lives of two young students and left another injured. The heartbreaking events of February 12 inside the Hugine Suites residence hall have forever altered the lives of families, friends, classmates, and the broader university community.

Nineteen-year-old Henry L. Crittington was pronounced dead at the scene. Eighteen-year-old Terrell Thomas tragically passed away shortly after being transported to the hospital. Both young men were at the beginning of promising journeys—filled with dreams, ambition, and the boundless hope that accompanies youth. Their futures were bright, their potential immeasurable, and their loss is deeply felt.

The shooting occurred inside a room at Hugine Suites, a residential complex meant to be a place of safety, friendship, and academic growth. Instead, it became the site of unimaginable grief. Three individuals were shot during the incident, with one surviving victim still hospitalized and receiving medical treatment. The thoughts and prayers of many remain with him as he recovers physically and emotionally from this traumatic event.

The investigation, led by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), resulted in charges against Khamanti Lytrel Kennedy, 18, who faces two counts of murder. He was booked into the Orangeburg County Detention Center. Authorities have stated that surveillance footage shows Kennedy arriving on campus with three others, entering and exiting the residence hall before the shooting occurred. Investigators believe the incident may have stemmed from a marijuana transaction. The case will be prosecuted by the 1st Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the investigation remains ongoing.

While legal proceedings move forward, today we pause not to focus on charges or courtrooms, but to remember the lives lost.

Henry was remembered by those who knew him as kind-hearted and determined. Friends describe him as someone who carried a quiet strength and a warm spirit. He had goals, aspirations, and a desire to build a meaningful future. His smile, his conversations, and his presence on campus will not be forgotten.

Terrell was known for his vibrant personality and his loyalty to those he cared about. At just 18, he had already begun carving out his path in life, surrounded by classmates who saw in him a friend and a brother. His laughter once echoed through the halls of campus dormitories; now, that echo lives on only in cherished memories.

The pain reverberates far beyond the walls of the university. Families are grieving sons whose lives ended far too soon. Classmates are mourning peers they attended lectures with just days before. Faculty and staff are grappling with the responsibility of guiding students through trauma while mourning alongside them.

Incidents like this shake communities to their core. Colleges are meant to be sanctuaries of learning, growth, and safety. When violence intrudes into those sacred spaces, it leaves behind not only grief but questions—about safety, about choices, about the fragility of life.

As the campus of South Carolina State University reflects, memorials, candlelight vigils, and quiet gatherings of prayer serve as reminders that Henry and Terrell mattered. They were more than headlines. More than statistics. They were sons, friends, classmates, and young men with stories still being written.

May their memories inspire unity, compassion, and a renewed commitment to protecting one another. May their families find comfort in the outpouring of support. And may the surviving victim find strength and healing in the days ahead.

In loving memory of Henry L. Crittington and Terrell Thomas — your lives touched many, and your absence will always be felt. You will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved you.