'A humble spirit’: Man heartbroken after childhood friend killed by lightning strike

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — A lightning strike killed a man Tuesday night in Chester County, the coroner confirmed with Channel 9.

It happened in the Chester Homes apartment community on York Street.

The coroner identified the victim as 32-year-old Sirmorio Davis, who was a father and friend to many. He was struck by lightning as he was apparently getting out of a car.

Chester County and its surrounding area were continuously pounded by strong storms that packed heavy lightning, strong winds and large hail.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the South Carolina county that expired at 7:15 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning for Chester County continued until 8:45 p.m.

Davis’ death was the first lightning-related death of 2020 in the United States, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.

Family and friends flooded Davis’ Facebook page to express their sadness about losing someone they loved dearly.

One of his childhood friends, Isiah Brown, was still in shock when he spoke to Channel 9 on Wednesday.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard it,” he said. “Once I did get on social media and seen the multiple posts put up about him, that’s when reality kicked it. It had me stuck for a moment because he was a real, down to earth, humble spirit. He kept me laughing. He told me, ‘Whatever you go through, don’t let it get you down. Don’t let it get to you.’”

Channel 9’s team of meteorologists broke into programming to tracking the tornado warning as the storm moved through Chester County. The storm brought down many trees in the area and also produced golf ball-sized hail, as well as intense lightning.

“I was raised to, if we meet someone and we become friends, friends turn to family,” said Brown. “I feel like I lost a brother more than losing a friend.”

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