SC man mishandled gun, shot someone inside home, SLED says. He’s charged with manslaughter

A Midlands man has been charged after a shooting in a home last month, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced.

Xavier Daichaun Bennett, 23, will face one count of involuntary manslaughter.

Just before 7 p.m. Nov. 23, Bennett and the victim both “recklessly” pointed handguns at one another at a Sumter residence on Utah Circle, according to an affidavit. Bennett mishandled his gun and “negligently and unintentionally” shot the victim once, striking him in his upper torso.

According to the affidavit, Bennett drove the victim to Prisma Health Tuomey hospital for treatment, then fled.

The victim later died.

The Sumter Police Department requested assistance from SLED.

Bennett was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center. The case will be prosecuted by the 3rd Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

This story was originally published December 14, 2024 at 4:12 PM.

Alexa Jurado

The State

Alexa Jurado is a news reporter for The State covering Lexington County and Richland County schools. She previously wrote about the University of South Carolina and contributes to this coverage. A Chicago suburbs native, Alexa graduated from Marquette University and previously wrote for publications in Illinois and Wisconsin. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Milwaukee Press Club and the South Carolina Press Association.