80-year-old man allegedly fatally shot 11-year-old neighbor and then admitted to killing his wife

SUMTER, S.C. (TCN) — An elderly man stands accused of fatally shooting his wife before entering his neighbor’s residence and killing a young child.

According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, on the night of Wednesday, April 16, 80-year-old Reuben Leonard allegedly went into a home on Floyd Drive, opened fire, and fatally shot his 11-year-old neighbor. Deputies responded to the scene and found the victim with a gunshot wound, as well as family members restraining Leonard.

Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the child was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities took Leonard into custody, and he allegedly told deputies that he had killed his wife prior to shooting the child. Sumter Police responded to Leonard’s house and discovered his 76-year-old wife shot dead inside the garage.

Leonard was transported to a hospital for injuries and is expected to recover. He will be booked into the Sumter County Detention Center upon his release and faces a charge of murder.

Sheriff Anthony Dennis called it a “horrific incident” and said investigators are “working diligently to uncover all the details.”