Bio

Toby R. Sincino was born in 1979 in South Carolina. He grew up in a small town called Blackville, which had a population of about 3,000 people. As a child, he was described as small and quiet. Many of his peers viewed him as shy, but he often struggled with being bullied by other students.

Toby faced challenges in school. He was known to get into trouble and had run-ins with both classmates and school officials. At times, he was a victim of bullying, but he occasionally picked on others as well. His behavior led to several disciplinary actions at school. Toby had a history of conflicts, which included a prior expulsion and suspensions.

Despite these issues, Toby attended church regularly. He went to Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church two Sundays each month with his family. His family life was complicated. He was shuffled between the homes of his estranged parents, Randolph Sincino and Gerlean McCreary Sincino. This instability in his home life might have contributed to his troubles.

Toby had been suspended from Blackville-Hilda High School the week before the tragic events unfolded. This suspension was due to making an obscene gesture on the school bus. He had been on probation after having been expelled in the past. According to reports, he had a criminal record that included pointing a firearm and simple assault. He was also undergoing counseling and taking medication for emotional problems.

Friends noted that Toby hinted he might not live to see adulthood. He spoke about thoughts of not reaching his sixteenth birthday and sometimes talked about going to "heaven." This behavior raised concerns among those who knew him.

Murder Story

On October 12, 1995, Toby R. Sincino, a 16-year-old student at Blackville-Hilda High School in South Carolina, carried out a tragic shooting at his school. Toby had been suspended the day before for making an obscene gesture on a school bus. He was struggling in school and facing the possibility of expulsion. Early in the morning on October 12, he entered the school armed with a .32-caliber handgun.

Toby first approached a classroom where math teacher Johnny Thompson, aged 38, was teaching. He shot Mr. Thompson in the face, leaving him seriously injured. Toby then continued down the hall and encountered another teacher, Phyllis Senn, 56. When she saw the gun, she attempted to back away into a nearby workroom. Unfortunately, Toby shot her in the back, and she collapsed inside the workroom.

After shooting Phyllis Senn, Toby moved towards the guidance office but found the door locked. He then took his own life by shooting himself in the head.

This incident deeply affected the small community of Blackville, where people were left questioning how it could have happened. In total, Toby shot two teachers, one of whom died, and then he committed suicide shortly after the shootings.