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Murdered Berkeley County Teen Featured In New HBO Documentary

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell

Ariel attended Francis Marion University where she hoped to one day become a nurse.
Ariel attended Francis Marion University where she hoped to one day become a nurse.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—More than a year after 19-year-old Ariel Morgan was shot to death while attending a party in Berkeley County, her murder is about to gain national attention.

On June 22nd (9:00-10:15 p.m. ET/PT), Morgan’s untimely death will be featured in a new HBO documentary titled “Requiem for the Dead: American Spring 2014.”

According to directors Nick Doob and Shari Cookson, the film tells the story of how every spring in America, more than 8,000 people die from gunfire.

On June 7th, 2014 Ariel Morgan then 19, attended a block party with approximately 800 other people along the 300-block of Tish Lane in the Long Ridge community of the county.

According to Berkeley Co. deputies, at some point during the event, shots rang out. Multiple people were hit by bullets. Ariel was among the victims. She was transported to MUSC in Charleston where she was later pronounced dead at 2:45 a.m.

Ariel Morgan was a graduate of Stratford High School
Ariel Morgan was a graduate of Stratford High School

“Ariel didn’t live the life of the streets. She lived the life of a young lady who had a future ahead of her. She didn’t run the streets, robbing banks or anything like that, so that ‘street code’ shouldn’t apply to her,” the young woman’s mother has previously stated.

More than 32,000 people die from gun violence every year in America, an average of 88 people per day, according to the documentary’s creators.

Along with Morgan’s murder, the new HBO documentary will also feature several other South Carolina-area victims including that of Aja Robinson of Columbia, Alexandra Anita Santos of Easley and Juliet Noel Lynch of Gaston.

Below are additional airdates for the documentary:

  • Other HBO playdates: June 22 (4:35 a.m.), 25 (5:00 p.m.) and 28 (3:45 p.m.), and July 3 (9:00 a.m.), 4 (12:30 p.m.), 9 (12:15 p.m.) and 14 (3:35 a.m.)
  • HBO2 playdates: June 24 (noon, 8:00 p.m.) and July 7 (12:10 a.m.), 12 (8:30 a.m.) and 31 (8:15 a.m.)

So far, no one has ever been charged with Morgan’s murder.  If you have any information on this murder, you’re urged to contact Crimestoppers at (843) 554-1111. Remember, you can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward in the amount of $8,740. You can also contact the Berkeley Co. Sheriff’s Office at (843) 719-4465.
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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