Ke’Mari Ford Obituary – Columbia Death: Beloved Resident Has Died

Lexington County, South Carolina — The community is mourning the tragic loss of Ke’Mari Samar’Trey Ford, 18, who was fatally shot on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at an apartment complex on Fernandina Road. Ford was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, leaving family, friends, and neighbors in profound grief over a young life taken far too soon.

Those who knew Ford remember him as a bright and ambitious young man, just stepping into adulthood and looking forward to the future. Friends, classmates, and teammates describe him as kind, full of promise, and someone whose presence brought warmth and positivity to those around him.

Authorities report that an argument preceded the shooting, and the suspect, 23-year-old Latif Shi’Yon Elijah Ross, was later arrested and charged with murder and weapons offenses. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation, gathering evidence and witness statements to better understand the tragic events that ended Ford’s life.

In the aftermath, the community has rallied around his family, offering support, sharing memories, and advocating for healing and safety. Ford’s life, though tragically brief, is being honored through the recollections of those he touched—his smiles, his plans, and the promise he carried remain etched in the hearts of all who knew him.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by his family in the coming days.