ALLENDALE, S.C. () — A heartbreaking loss in Allendale. A well-liked high school student shot and killed — now a local leader is calling for change.

“I’m very upset. I’m hurt. I’m heartbroken. The city is heartbroken,” Allendale Town Councilman Marlon Creech said.

17-year-old Andrey Gadson, known as “Little Dre,” was a senior at Allendale-Fairfax High School.
Councilman Marlon Creech, who works at the school as a CDL instructor, saw him often. “He respected well amongst his peers. Really, really respectful little guy, man. He was taking off. He had plans to join the workforce,” he shared.

Gadson was shot and killed early Sunday morning at a home on Butler Street in the Kennedy Park neighborhood. SLED is now investigating. Creech says the call about the shooting brought him to his knees. “I immediately went into prayer. I was heartbroken. I shed a few tears because no one wants to lose a son, a brother, or a loved one due to senseless violence like this right here,” he recalled.

The school district brought in extra support — including grief counseling and law enforcement.
Creech says Superintendent Dr. Valerie Cave acted quickly. “She’s done a wonderful job with doing that. Anytime she need to pull all stops, she does that. And it will continue as long as it need to. I’m sure under her advisement that make sure that the students are safe. “

As for what’s next — Creech says the town is taking steps to stop the violence.
Still, he knows the solution isn’t just about government. “We ask you, we beg of you to speak up the anonymous calls, we can talk to the sheriff, we can talk to the deputy chief, they’ll talk, reach out to me, whomever you need to, to get this information out because this should not go unsolved.”

Creech also says the town is working on long-term fixes — like hiring a police chief and adding more cameras in high-crime areas. But he says they can’t do it alone. If you know something, say something.

A cash reward is available for information that leads to an arrest.