Westminster, South Carolina – The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office announced that three individuals have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 15‑year‑old Thaddaeus Justice Terezakis on October 8, 2026.
Victim and circumstances
Thaddaeus Terezakis was shot in the head near Walhalla early on Thursday morning and was pronounced dead at 12:25 p.m. at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital. The Oconee County Coroner, Karl Addis, classified the death as a homicide following an autopsy that confirmed the cause as a gunshot wound to the head.
Charges filed
Investigators say a second 15‑year‑old was handling a Taurus G2C 9mm handgun when it unintentionally discharged, striking Terezakis. The sheriff’s office described the incident as accidental but noted the teenager’s negligent handling of the weapon.
The juvenile, whose name is being withheld due to his age, faces an involuntary manslaughter charge. He is alleged to have retrieved the handgun from beneath a pillow in his room before it fired.
Authorities also arrested 33‑year‑old Davina Jill Browne, identified as a relative with custody of the teenager. Browne is charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk of harm for allowing the minor to possess the handgun despite knowing it was in the home. She was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.
On October 12, 2026, 23‑year‑old John Devin Wilbanks of Westminster was charged with the unlawful sale of a pistol. Wilbanks allegedly sold the Taurus 9mm handgun to a person under 18, and investigators linked that firearm to the fatal shooting. He was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center and released the same afternoon on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.
Ongoing investigation
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate how the juvenile obtained the weapon and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Deputies consulted with the office of South Carolina’s tenth‑circuit solicitor, Micah Black, before detaining the teenager and securing a juvenile referral packet. The juvenile was transferred to a facility in Columbia for further processing.
Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the family relationship between Browne and the teenager, other than confirming she has custody.
Community response
The tragedy has shocked the Westminster community, prompting calls for increased parental oversight and responsible gun storage. Local leaders have emphasized the importance of keeping firearms out of reach of minors while respecting lawful gun ownership rights.
The investigation remains active, and officials say more information will be released as it becomes available.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
