Jaliyah Butler’s mother, Heather Weaver, is originally from Saluda, South Carolina.
The victim of a homecoming shooting at South Carolina State University on Saturday night, October 4, 2025, has been identified by the Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office as 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler.
Coroner Sean Fogle said that Butler, of Saluda, was pronounced dead at MUSC Health Orangeburg Hospital after one of two shootings that prompted a campus lockdown at the University.
In a statement, Sean Fogle said,
“My heart goes out to all the victims of this unfortunate event and to their families, the South Carolina State University family and the Orangeburg County community,” “Continue to pray for these individuals and our county that we may heal and recover from this tragic event.”
Sean Fogle
Sherri Jones, a graduate of Piedmont Technical College, took to her official Facebook handle and mourned the loss of Jaliyah. She wrote,
Jaliyah Butler Was someone daughter,granddaughter,sister,niece and cousin….. PUT THE GUNS DOWN…. Her parents are hurting 💔💔 my son Kingston is hurting he LOVE his sister….. and yall took that from him… FOR WHAT!!! Yall leave us to answer the questions… that we don’t know what to say…. LLJALIYAH💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 WE LOVE YOU SWEETHEART
Sherri Jones
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said that one arrest has been made following the investigation.
Matthew Daniel McCoy, 18, was charged in connection with one of the two shootings.
He was charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person and carrying a weapon on school property.
According to arrest warrants released, McCoy had a loaded Glock handgun in his vehicle, which was parked on the SCSU campus.
After seeing a fight between two groups, he allegedly grabbed the gun from his vehicle and shot twice towards an unidentified male wearing a black and red hoodie.
However, it is unclear which of the two shootings he was allegedly involved in.
As per the officials, the shooting took place during the University’s annual Homecoming celebration.
The University’s Homecoming concert, scheduled for Saturday night, was cancelled following the tragedy.
SC State also announced that classes have been canceled on Monday as the school remains on lockdown.
Heartbroken Mother, Heather Speaks Out After South Carolina State Homecoming Tragedy
South Carolina’s Homecoming shooting victim, Jaliyah Butler, was born in 2006 to her mother, Heather Weaver, and her father, whose identity has not been revealed.
According to Heather’s official Facebook handle, she is from Saluda but lives in Greenwood, South Carolina.
She has been serving at HTI since October 31, 2022.
Heather recently took to her official Facebook handle and confirmed the tragic death of her daughter, Heather Weaver. She wrote,
“Yes it’s true my baby Jaliyah Butler is gone! Please don’t call or message me if you isn’t direct family! Thanks! Keep my family in your prayers, please!”
Heather Weaver
Close one and relatives took to the comment section and sent their heartfelt condolences and prayers to Heather. Holmes Whitney, a resident of Queens, New York, wrote,
My heart aches for you ❤️🩹. I can’t even fathom the pain you’re enduring right now. I pray for your strength and healing in these trying times. God be with you. 🙏🏽 I love you ❤️
Holmes Whitney
Johnniemae Kimbrough, a resident of Johnston, South Carolina, sent prayers to Heather’s family. She wrote,
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family
Johnniemae Kimbrough
In another post, Weaver said,
“To know I’ll never get to hear my baby Jaliyah Butler to tell me she love me again! I just can’t stomach that! Baby girl I wish this was a dream”.
Heather Weaver
Heather will soon reveal the funeral service schedule for Jaliyah Butler.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jaliyah Butler is survived by her three siblings: Sabryn Montrez, Jodariyon Khalil, and Alaysia King.
- Heather’s aunt, Lisa Talbert, also lives in Greenwood, South Carolina.
