Sumter police charge Dalzell man with murder after body found near vacant house

The Sumter Police Department has charged a Dalzell man with murder after a body was found behind a vacant house Friday evening.

Police Chief Russell Roark said 24-year-old Qwinton Diquan Harper turned himself in to police on Saturday evening.

Roark said Harper allegedly shot and killed 33-year-old Shimone Gillins, of Sumter, in retaliation for a fight between the men, which occurred several weeks ago. Both men were acquaintances and believed to be involved in ongoing criminal activity.

Gillins body was discovered when police and Emergency Medical Services responded to a vacant home in the 600 block of South Harvin Street in Sumter in reference to a possibly ill or deceased person in the backyard. An autopsy performed on the body revealed Gillins died from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Leads developed at the scene identified Harper as the possible shooter, Roark said.

Harper is currently being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center where he awaits a bond hearing.