8 videos that explain the Midlands’ year in news
A man with a gun showered heartache upon a Charleston church and the entire state. A man with a visor and a knack for quips made his last sideline play call.
A squad of women filled an arena and our spirits with hope. A squad of officers mourned the loss of a brave peer.
There were moments we wish had never happened and moments we wish would never end.
Reporter Sarah Ellis penned these words in the foreword of “Community of Heroes,” a book published last month by The State Media Company to recap a gripping year of news in the Midlands and around South Carolina. Also in that book, Publisher Sara Johnson Borton noted that we found around every corner heroes deserving of tribute.
As 2016 beckons, we take a look back at eight videos that explain the remarkable year now past.
USC professor shot by ex-wife in murder-suicide
In February, Raja Fayad was shot and killed by his 46-year-old ex-wife Sunghee Kwon inside of the public health building before she turned the gun on herself. Fayad and Kwon had been married until several years ago, although they had continued a relationship until the weeks before the shooting, authorities said. Swarms of officers converged on the Carolina campus after reports of a shooting surfaced. An outpouring of grief — and warm tributes to Fayad — from faculty members and students marked the days that followed.
Gamecocks women make Final Four
The University of South Carolina women’s basketball team posted the best season in program history, with a 34-3 record, the SEC regular-season and tournament titles, and the Gamecocks’ first trip to the Final Four. They were derailed only by a one-point loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA semifinals.
Charleston church shooting shocks country
During a prayer service June 17 at Charleston’s historically black Emanuel AME Church, nine people, including senior pastor and state Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, were gunned down by a young white man — a stranger who had joined them for an evening bible study. Authorities said that man was 21-year-old Dylann Roof of the Columbia area, who committed the shooting in hopes of igniting a race war.
Confederate battle flag removed from State House in tragedy’s wake
The Confederate battle flag had flown at the Capitol for more than five decades after being raised in 1961 to honor the 100-year anniversary of the Civil War, which started at Fort Sumter in Charleston. It was moved to a spot on the State House grounds in 2000, part of a compromise on the controversial banner.
The Charleston church shootings that shocked the nation — accused gunman was shown on social media posing with a Confederate flag, rekindling debate over its meaning — prompted Haley to call for the flag’s banishment. State lawmakers joined her, and a seven-minute flag removal ceremony July 7 drew an estimated 10,000 onlookers.
Alia shot and killed by suspect in Richland Mall
Forest Acres police officer Greg Alia, 32, was fatally shot just before 8 a.m. Sept. 30 during a struggle with a suspect inside Richland Mall. A seven-year veteran of the force, Alia had a “heart of gold” and embodied everything good about law enforcement, said Kassy Alia, his wife of nearly four years. Kassy lived with Greg and their 6-month-old son, Sal, in the Forest Acres area. His parents live not far away. Kassy said her husband loved law enforcement for “the right reasons.”
Flood ravages SC, Midlands
Record floods, drenching rainfalls and failing dams Oct. 4 shut down hundreds of roads and closed stretches of interstates across South Carolina, forcing thousands to flee their homes or vehicles. Many Columbia residents were left without drinkable water. At least 19 lives were lost.
USC football coach Steve Spurrier resigns in mid-season
Steve Spurrier, the winningest football coach in Gamecock history with 86 victories and a 228-89-2 record overall, resigned abruptly Oct. 12. His team was off to a 2-4 start that, at that point, didn’t include a single Southeastern Conference win. Spurrier said he had lost some of his zest for coaching and no longer brought the enthusiasm his players deserved from him. Shawn Elliott was named interim coach.
Muschamp hired to lead Gamecock football program
Elliott won his first game as interim coach ... then didn’t taste victory again. Athletics director Ray Tanner picked former Florida head coach and current Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp as Spurrier’s permanent replacement. “Coach Boom’s” selection was met with skepticism in some corners, but he also roused excitement by hitting the recruiting trail immediately and assembling a staff of up-and-coming coaches.
This story was originally published December 26, 2015 at 2:32 AM.