Nationwide — Daryl Martinez Lowry, a 13-year-old African American boy from Modoc, South Carolina, was killed after at least one white teen, Landen Moore, allegedly attacked him, stabbed him, and held him underwater until he died.
Investigators recovered his body from Clark Hill Lake on Monday, July 20, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division says the teen was attacked first at a boat dock before he was allegedly held underwater.
According to People, authorities said Daryl suffered knife wounds during an altercation involving 17-year-old Landen Moore and another 16-year-old teen. Police arrested both suspects later that same day as they investigated the teenager’s death.
Moore and the other teen were both foster children of McCormick County Council Chairman Bernie Hamby. Daryl was also in Hamby’s care at the time while waiting for another foster placement.
Daryl’s family remembered him as a loving child who brought happiness to those around him. His aunt described him as “full of life, love, and charisma” and said he always wore a smile.
A GoFundMe campaign was set up to help the family with funeral expenses. It has so far raised over $1,500.
Moore faces a murder charge and remains booked at the McCormick County Sheriff’s Office. The second teen was transferred to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, but officials have not confirmed if he has been charged.
Court records did not reveal whether Moore has entered a plea or hired an attorney to speak on his behalf. Daryl’s family continues to seek justice as authorities move forward with the investigation.