North Augusta, SC (October 27, 2025) — Authorities have identified the two victims fatally shot on Sunday at a North Augusta gas station, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has launched an investigation after an officer-involved shooting during the incident. The victims, 76-year-old Jewel Harden of Hephzibah, Georgia, and 33-year-old Thomas B. Lilly Jr. of Williston, South Carolina, were found dead at the scene. Their autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday in Newberry, according to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables.
What Happened: The Fatal Shooting and Officer-Involved Incident
The tragic events unfolded around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, when North Augusta Public Safety officers were dispatched to a reported shooting at the Sprint gas station located on Edgefield Road. Upon arrival, the first officer encountered a man in the parking lot wielding an AR-style pistol. According to SLED, the armed individual raised the weapon toward the officer, prompting the officer to discharge their firearm, striking the suspect.
The suspect was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he remains for medical treatment. However, the situation escalated when officers discovered two victims inside the gas station — later identified as Jewel Harden and Thomas Lilly. Both victims had been fatally shot, and their deaths have left the community in mourning.
Who Were the Victims: Jewel Harden and Thomas B. Lilly Jr.
Jewel Harden, a 76-year-old woman from Hephzibah, Georgia, and Thomas B. Lilly Jr., a 33-year-old from Williston, South Carolina, were the victims of this senseless violence. Harden and Lilly’s tragic deaths have shocked the local community, with family and friends remembering them for their warmth and kindness. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the victims’ deaths or their connection to the suspect, but the investigation is ongoing.
Investigation: SLED Looks Into Officer-Involved Shooting and Murders
In the aftermath of the shooting, SLED has been tasked with investigating both the officer-involved shooting and the murder of Harden and Lilly. SLED agents are conducting witness interviews, collecting evidence, and testing materials at the crime scene. Once the investigation is complete, a full case file will be submitted to prosecutors for further review.
This tragic incident marks the 40th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina in 2025 and the first for North Augusta Public Safety this year. In 2024, the department did not have any officer-involved shootings.
Public Response: Shock and Condolences
The shooting and subsequent deaths have sent shockwaves through the North Augusta community. Friends and family of the victims have expressed their grief on social media, with many offering condolences to the families of Harden and Lilly. Residents of North Augusta are also left grappling with the traumatic events that unfolded at what is supposed to be a place of everyday activity.
Local law enforcement officials and community members have emphasized the importance of working together to prevent further violence and ensure justice is served.
What Happens Next
As the investigation continues, the community is urged to remain patient while authorities work to uncover all the details surrounding this tragic incident. SLED will continue to release updates as necessary, and the public is encouraged to provide any information that may assist in resolving this case.
For now, the families of the victims await answers, as the investigation into the shooting and officer-involved incident unfolds.
Closing Line
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
The post Two Killed in North Augusta Gas Station Shooting; Officer-Involved Incident Under Investigation first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
