Dillon Police Charge Local Man With Murder Following Fatal Friday Night Shooting Incident

Matthew Lee Scarborough, Jr. has been charged with murder following a fatal shooting on West Calhoun Street that left 31-year-old Avery Blackmon dead.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 5:33 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WMBF News

The Fatal Shooting On West Calhoun Street

The Dillon Police Department responded to a report of gunfire on West Calhoun Street on the evening of March 13. Upon arriving at the scene at approximately 8:18 p.m., responding officers discovered a male victim lying on the ground suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite the arrival of emergency medical services, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley later identified the deceased as 31-year-old Avery Blackmon. The area was immediately cordoned off as investigators began collecting physical evidence and seeking potential witnesses to the violent encounter.

Identification And Apprehension Of The Suspect

Following a multi-day investigation by local detectives, authorities identified 31-year-old Matthew Lee Scarborough, Jr. as the primary suspect in the homicide. Investigative leads and forensic evidence gathered at the crime scene reportedly linked Scarborough to the shooting. On Wednesday, March 18, officers successfully located and apprehended Scarborough without further incident. The Dillon Police Department has not yet released details regarding a possible motive for the shooting, but they have confirmed that the identification was the result of a coordinated effort within the department to track the suspect’s movements following the Friday night event.

Formal Charges And Legal Proceedings

Matthew Lee Scarborough, Jr. has been formally charged with several serious offenses related to the death of Avery Blackmon. The primary charge is murder, but Scarborough also faces counts for the possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and the unlawful possession of a firearm. According to jail records, he was processed into the Dillon County Detention Center shortly after his arrest. A bond hearing is currently pending, though under South Carolina law, bond for a murder charge is typically handled by a circuit court judge rather than a magistrate.