One of Three Pleads Guilty in 2020 Killing of CofC Provost's Husband

Young man set to stand trial next week on murder and robbery charges in the 2020 fatal shooting of the husband of the then newly hired College of Charleston provost

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:30pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a single spent bullet casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the evidence of a violent crime.The fatal shooting of a college provost's husband exposes the city's ongoing struggle with violent crime.Charleston Today

A 16-year-old at the time of the crime, Darcellus Fishburne, pleaded guilty on April 17 to murder, armed robbery, and attempted armed robbery in the 2020 slaying of Tom DiLorenzo, the husband of the newly installed College of Charleston provost. Fishburne was the first of three young men charged in the July 2020 killing to enter a plea, with charges still pending against the other two defendants.

Why it matters

The murder of the provost's husband just weeks after she started her new role at the College of Charleston sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about violent crime and public safety in the city. The guilty plea of one of the defendants provides some closure, but the case remains ongoing as the other two alleged perpetrators await trial.

The details

According to the solicitor's office, Fishburne pleaded guilty to murder, armed robbery, and attempted armed robbery for his role in the July 17, 2020 killing of Tom DiLorenzo. DiLorenzo and his wife, the newly hired College of Charleston provost, were on an early morning walk near King and Crawford streets when they were confronted by Fishburne and two other teens, all of whom were between the ages of 14 and 16 at the time. The group had traveled from North Charleston in a stolen vehicle to rob people in downtown Charleston. They first targeted a 74-year-old woman on Archdale Street but were unsuccessful, then held up a 20-year-old construction worker near Calhoun and Philip streets before encountering DiLorenzo, who told the teens he did not have any money. DiLorenzo was shot in the chest before the teens fled. Fishburne and one of the other defendants, Travis Wilson, blamed each other for the shooting, but an eyewitness said the shooter was wearing a red shirt, which Wilson was wearing that morning.

  • On July 17, 2020, DiLorenzo was killed in the early morning hours.
  • On April 17, 2026, Darcellus Fishburne pleaded guilty to murder, armed robbery, and attempted armed robbery in the case.

The players

Darcellus Fishburne

A 16-year-old at the time of the crime who pleaded guilty on April 17, 2026 to murder, armed robbery, and attempted armed robbery in the 2020 killing of Tom DiLorenzo.

Travis Wilson

One of the three young men charged in the 2020 killing of Tom DiLorenzo, with charges still pending against him.

Jaylen Grant

One of the three young men charged in the 2020 killing of Tom DiLorenzo, with charges still pending against him.

Tom DiLorenzo

The 63-year-old husband of the newly installed College of Charleston provost who was fatally shot in 2020 during a robbery attempt.

Jennifer B. McCoy

The judge who accepted Darcellus Fishburne's guilty plea on April 17, 2026.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Judge Jennifer B. McCoy deferred sentencing for Darcellus Fishburne after he pleaded guilty. The charges against Travis Wilson and Jaylen Grant are still pending, and they are scheduled to stand trial next week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Charleston faces with violent crime and the impact it can have on the community, even reaching the highest levels of an institution like the College of Charleston. The guilty plea of one defendant provides some closure, but the full resolution of the case remains uncertain as the other two alleged perpetrators await trial.