80-Year-Old South Carolina Man Charged with Double Murder After Fatal Shooting of 11-Year-Old Girl and Wife in Target Practice Dispute

An 80-year-old South Carolina man has been charged with multiple felonies, including two counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder, after allegedly entering a neighbor’s home and opening fire, killing an 11-year-old girl and later admitting to fatally shooting his wife.

The incident occurred in Sumter, South Carolina, around 10:32 p.m. on April 16. Reuben Arthur Leonard reportedly stormed into his neighbor’s residence wielding an assault rifle and carrying a second weapon. Authorities say he intended to “kill everybody” inside the home, where 10 to 11 people, including children, were gathered.

According to Sumter County law enforcement, Leonard had been upset for weeks over his neighbors practicing target shooting in their backyard. Despite repeated calls to police, the activity was determined to be legal and posed no danger to surrounding properties. Days after being charged with breach of peace on April 14 for a prior confrontation, Leonard allegedly carried out a violent, premeditated attack.

Inside the neighbor’s home, Leonard shot and killed 11-year-old Ashly McFarland. Officials said she died instantly from her injuries. Her father was also shot while attempting to stop the attacker from harming others. Several family members managed to wrestle Leonard to the ground and restrain him until deputies arrived.

Upon their arrival, Leonard allegedly informed deputies that he had also shot his wife, 76-year-old Felicia Leonard. Officers found her dead from a gunshot wound in the couple’s garage.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner described the shooting as an unprovoked and senseless act, stating that Leonard had no diagnosed mental illness such as dementia. He emphasized the deliberate nature of the home invasion and confirmed that the suspect’s neighbors had not violated any laws.

Following the shooting, Leonard was taken to a hospital for treatment related to injuries sustained during the struggle with neighbors. He was then booked into the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. During his initial court appearance on April 18, a judge denied him bond due to the severity of the charges. His next hearing is scheduled for June 6.