On January 6, 2026, Thomas Raheem, a 32-year-old Spartanburg, South Carolina resident, lost his life in a terrible tragedy. The Burg Tobacco and Vape, located at 1944 East Main Street, was the scene of the fatal shooting. This incident was one of three unconnected killings that occurred in the city in the first week of the new year, raising worries about growing hostilities.
Officers from the Spartanburg Police Department responded to a first complaint about a fight going on at the vape store just after 7 p.m., which is when the altercation started. Dispatch quickly changed the call to reflect that bullets had been fired as police units got closer to the parking lot, causing an instant transition to a high-priority active shooter response.
Officers observed a dark-colored Honda Accord attempting to flee the scene upon their arrival, quickly detaining the vehicle and its two occupants—a 18-year-old and a 16-year-old—for further investigation.
Upon entering the shop, officers discovered Raheem lying on the floor, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Despite rapid attempts to render aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene, with the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office later confirming the cause as homicide by gunfire. Preliminary reports revealed the confrontation originated between Raheem, a customer, and the 18-year-old, Jayvion Deqwan Legg, escalating from a verbal argument into a physical fight inside the store.
The shop owner, who was present during the altercation, remained uninjured and uninvolved, providing crucial details to investigators about the rapid progression of events. The 16-year-old occupant of the vehicle also escaped harm, underscoring how the violence targeted Raheem specifically amid the confined space of the retail environment. Evidence collection focused on the interior, where the struggle and shooting unfolded in close quarters, leaving a stark reminder of how quickly disputes can turn lethal.
Legg surrendered to authorities shortly after, facing charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, with bond denied during his initial court appearance. The swift detention of the Honda Accord prevented potential escape, allowing police to secure statements and physical evidence linking the teen to the fatal shots. Major Art Littlejohn of the Spartanburg Police Department described the event as a violent and tragic loss of life stemming from a heated personal conflict.