James Yost (76) & Kenneth Clanton (33)—Georgetown Lives Stolen by Senseless Violence
The Georgetown, South Carolina, community is submerged in deep sorrow following the shocking murder of two of its own: James William Yost, 76, and Kenneth Michael Wade Clanton, 33. Their lives were brutally and tragically taken on the night of December 5, 2025, during a senseless act of violence—an apparent home invasion/attempted armed robbery. The utter disregard for human life, especially against a father and a younger man, has left an indelible scar on the region, underscoring the horrific reality of random, violent crime.
The Brutality of Betrayal: Safety Shattered in the Home
A home is meant to be a sanctuary, a place of peace and safety. That sanctity was violently shattered when James Yost and Kenneth Clanton were attacked. The fatal gunshot wounds they sustained are a horrific testament to the sheer brutality inflicted by the intruders. The contrasting ages—the elderly Yost and the younger Clanton—emphasize that the violence was indiscriminate, born of greed and cruelty. No family should ever have to face the trauma of losing loved ones in such a shocking, intimate, and calculated manner.
Two Lives, One Tragedy: A Community Reeling
James Yost, at 76, represented the history and bedrock of the community, likely possessing wisdom and cherished memories. Kenneth Clanton, at 33, represented the vibrancy and future of the community, with a life full of unfulfilled potential. Their simultaneous loss creates a void that is twice as profound. The fact that the police have made arrests, charging suspects with murder, provides a necessary first step toward justice, but it cannot restore the two pillars of life stolen from the Georgetown neighborhood.
Uniting for Justice: Honoring James and Kenneth
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of James William Yost and Kenneth Michael Wade Clanton. Their memory now fuels the community’s demand for thorough justice and an end to the kind of violence that allows individuals to be tragically taken in the one place they should feel safe. We honor their lives by carrying forward their memory and supporting all those left to grieve this senseless double homicide.