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In the early morning hours of January 6, 2026, a routine drive on Highway 90 in Horry County, South Carolina turned tragic when an apparent road‑rage confrontation ended in a fatal shooting.
According to Horry County Police Department (HCPD) officers who responded to the scene near Star Bluff Road in the Longs/Wampee area, the incident began with a traffic crash involving multiple vehicles. Shortly after the collision, an argument escalated between drivers and turned deadly.
Authorities identified the victim as 33‑year‑old Paul Greenwood of Nichols, South Carolina. Greenwood was reportedly driving a white pickup truck at the time of the crash and became involved in a dispute with another driver. Horry County Coroner’s officials later ruled Greenwood’s death a homicide after he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The primary suspect in the shooting was 23‑year‑old Elijaih Thurman Taylor, who was arrested by Horry County police in connection with the incident. Taylor was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime following the deadly confrontation. Booking records confirm these charges, and Taylor remains in custody as the investigation proceeds.
Police say that the road rage dispute quickly turned violent, and at some point Taylor fired multiple shots, striking Greenwood. While details about exactly what sparked the argument are still under review, videos obtained by local media outlets show heated interactions between the drivers in the moments before the shooting, illustrating how rapidly tempers flared after the collision.
The incident forced temporary closures of Highway 90, as law enforcement sealed off the area to process the scene, gather evidence, and conduct witness interviews. The highway was blocked for several hours, disrupting traffic as authorities pieced together what led to the fatal exchange of gunfire.
In the aftermath, the community has reacted with shock and sorrow. Greenwood’s family and friends have mourned his loss, remembering him as a father and a person with a kind heart whose life ended suddenly in a senseless act of violence on a public roadway. Colleagues and acquaintances described him as someone whose loss will be deeply felt in the community.
As with many road‑rage cases, the legal proceedings in this case will likely involve careful scrutiny of available video, witness statements, and forensic evidence to establish motive, intent, and culpability. Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Taylor’s actions were unjustified and intentional, rising to the level of murder under South Carolina law.
Incidents like this underscore the dangers of escalating traffic disputes into violent confrontations. Law enforcement officials often urge drivers to remain calm after accidents or confrontations, to avoid engaging in confrontational behavior, and to report threats or dangerous driving rather than responding aggressively.
The case against Taylor is ongoing, and further updates including potential court dates or changes in charges are expected as the Horry County solicitor’s office prepares for prosecution.
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