WARD, SC – A quiet evening at a Saluda County industrial facility turned deadly Monday when gunfire erupted, leaving two employees dead in what authorities are calling a targeted workplace shooting. The victims have been identified as 44-year-old Willie Hopkins Jr. and 52-year-old Kimberly Leon, both found fatally wounded at the Darling Ingredients Inc. plant.
The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office rushed to the scene shortly before 6 p.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting an active shooter situation. Deputies arrived to find Hopkins and Leon deceased inside the facility, which processes animal byproducts in this rural community of fewer than 100 residents.
While investigators remain tight-lipped about potential suspects, sources confirm they’re examining whether the shooting stemmed from a workplace dispute. “We’re pursuing all leads and interviewing everyone who was on-site,” said Saluda County Sheriff Josh Price. “This appears to be an isolated incident between individuals known to each other.”
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has joined the investigation, with forensic teams processing the scene late into the night. Autopsies scheduled for later this week may reveal critical details about the victims’ final moments and help establish a clear timeline of events.
Neighbors described Hopkins as a devoted father of three who coached youth basketball, while Leon was remembered as a 15-year veteran at the plant known for mentoring new employees. Their sudden deaths have sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, where violent crime is rare.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office tip line. The plant remains closed indefinitely as grieving coworkers seek counseling and the small town struggles to comprehend the tragedy that unfolded behind its industrial walls.
