At 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, authorities responded to a reported shooting at 235 Graham Chapel Road, the location of Graham Chapel Wesleyan Church in the Cowpens community of Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene in the church parking lot to begin their investigation.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered a male victim who had suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Investigators quickly determined that the initial shooting had occurred in the roadway near the church. Evidence indicated that after being shot, the victim had staggered from the road into the church parking lot where he was ultimately found.
The victim was officially identified by the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office as 42-year-old Matthew Edward Carter. Carter was a resident of the Cowpens community, residing on Double Branch Road. The specific cause of death was a gunshot wound to the chest or torso.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office has stated this was an isolated event and that there is no ongoing threat or risk to the wider community. Deputies reported that no suspects have been identified at this early stage of the investigation.
Authorities, including the Coroner’s Office, conducted a forensic examination of the scene on Wednesday morning to gather further details on the cause and circumstances of Carter’s death. The sheriff’s office continues to lead an active investigation into the homicide.
As the investigation remains open, authorities are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact Sergeant Ken Hammett of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office at 864-503-4569 or via email at khammett@spartanburgcounty.org.
