Gray Court in Laurens County, South Carolina remains in profound mourning following the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Leo Scott Epting a freshman at Laurens District 55 High School who was discovered lying in the street with gunshot wounds on Tanglewood Way early Saturday morning March 7, 2026.
Laurens County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded around 5:30 a.m. to reports of a gunshot victim in this quiet residential neighborhood of single family homes where Leo lived with his family. Officers arrived to find the teenager outside his residence on Tanglewood Way where he had been coaxed from his bed and home moments earlier resulting in injuries that proved fatal despite immediate emergency efforts at the scene.
Investigators determined that Leo Scott Epting had been lured outside by 18 year old Ryan Ingersoll of Charlotte North Carolina and an unidentified juvenile suspect leading to the confrontation and gunfire in the street. Ingersoll was arrested and charged with murder armed robbery criminal conspiracy and possession of a weapon during a violent crime while the juvenile was detained in North Carolina awaiting extradition to South Carolina.
The swift identification and charges stemmed from evidence gathered at the Tanglewood Way location where deputies confirmed the targeted nature of the incident that unfolded in the predawn hours of this Gray Court neighborhood.
Leo Scott Epting was remembered by those who knew him as a bright and vibrant young man full of life love and laughter who was respectful genuine and charismatic. He connected easily with others and loved with his whole heart filling every space with joy and a little mischief.
Teachers at Laurens District 55 High School described him as a one of a kind student who was always having fun while friends noted there was never a dull moment with Leo as his jokes came naturally and his spirit left everyone around him feeling lighter and more connected in the Gray Court community.
Leo excelled in everything he pursued from his classroom studies to his athletic skills in martial arts and his deep passion for outdoor activities including hunting fishing and riding dirt bikes. He gave unforgettable hugs that made recipients feel loved from head to toe and lived fully in the moment chasing thrills while laughing loudly and ensuring those around him shared in the same joy.
The Laurens County community and Laurens District 55 High School have united in grief with visitation services held to celebrate Leo’s memory as a one of a kind student whose infectious energy touched classmates teachers and neighbors alike. School officials activated support resources for students and staff while local residents shared stories of his kind heart and adventurous spirit through community gatherings and social media tributes.
The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office continues its active investigation into the March 7 shooting on Tanglewood Way with Ryan Ingersoll denied bond and the juvenile suspect awaiting extradition as charges proceed through the court system. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information about the events leading up to the gunfire to contact investigators while confirming the incident appears isolated with no ongoing threat to the public in Gray Court.
As the community processes this unnecessary loss the focus remains on honoring the bright spirit of Leo Scott Epting whose laughter and love continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew him in Laurens County.
