An elderly South Carolina man was upset with his neighbors for target practicing in their backyard when he allegedly gunned down his wife and an innocent child.
Reuben Arthur Leonard, 80, armed himself with an assault rifle and broke into the neighbors’ home on Floyd Drive at around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The octogenarian allegedly opened fire inside the home, which was occupied by a dozen people at the time, instantly killing 11-year-old Ashly McFarland.
Leonard was restrained by the other residents until police arrived. He reportedly confessed to Sumter County deputies that he had murdered his 76-year-old wife in their home.
Deputies searched the residence and found the slain woman’s body in the garage.
Police said that Leonard did not suffer from dementia or mental health problems.
“This is a horrific incident, and our investigators are working diligently to uncover all the details,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said.
