Spartanburg's Violent Start to 2026: What's Really Going On?

Spartanburg has seen a troubling start to the year 2026, with three lives lost in just seven days. The victims, Tyson Hall, Gregario Julian Lizama Tenorio, and Thomas Raheem, were all killed in separate incidents, according to police reports. The first tragedy struck on New Year's Day when Tenorio, 37, was shot while trying to break up a fight at a convenience store. Just three days later, Hall, 36, was shot during a dispute at a house on Wofford Street. The third incident occurred on January 6, when Raheem, 32, was killed in a shooting at a vape shop. Police Major Art Littlejohn emphasized that while these crimes are not connected, they all involve the use of weapons in heated situations. This has raised concerns about the availability of firearms and the escalation of conflicts.The community is on edge, with activist Toni Sutton calling for urgent action from local leaders. She criticized the lack of attention to community issues, urging officials to address the root causes of violence with the same enthusiasm they show in attracting businesses. Despite the recent spike, Littlejohn pointed out that homicides in Spartanburg have generally decreased over the past two decades. He acknowledged that there are fluctuations year to year, but the long-term trend is positive. The recent events have sparked a debate about the effectiveness of local law enforcement and the need for community engagement. Some residents are calling for more town halls and open discussions to tackle the underlying issues contributing to the violence.