Arrest Made in Spartanburg Double Homicide Case
A dramatic scene unfolded on the otherwise peaceful afternoon of Thursday in Spartanburg, as authorities were alerted to a double homicide committed at a local motel.
According to local officers, a woman named Kayla Benton, 30, from Spartanburg, was placed under arrest following her phone call to 911. The woman self-reported a double murder that occurred at the Hometown Studios, where it’s believed she was residing at the time of the incident.
Placed under arrest, Benton is now facing serious charges, which include two counts of murder and the illegal possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a felony. In addition to this, she is also being charged with having a weapon during a violent crime.
The victims, identified as 32-year-old Sherman Armand Sims, and 38-year-old Susan Marie Gonzalez, were discovered by deputies in a motel room located in the 100 block of Mobile Drive. From what’s been shared by Lt. Kevin Bobo from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, it’s alleged that Benton not only knew her victims, but all three of them resided in the same motel building.
The Events Leading Up to the Murders
Bobo stated that all three individuals were together for a considerable period, during which they had verbal and physical altercations. Despite these disputes escalating, it’s clear that no one could have predicted such a violent conclusion.
Benton has claimed that the shooting was in self-defense, a claim that investigators are refuting based on the evidence available at the scene of the crime. The motive behind the shooting and the exact circumstances leading up to it remain uncertain and are an active part of the ongoing investigation.
No Bond for Suspected Shooter
As it stands, Benton has had a bond request denied and remains in custody at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. She awaits more concrete findings from the investigation and, ultimately, her day in court.
A Community in Shock
The peaceful tranquillity of Spartanburg has been shaken by this tragic event. The residents, particularly those residing at Hometown Studios, are grappling to come to terms with the shocking act of violence that occurred within their close-knit community. As investigations continue, our thoughts go out to the victims’ families in this heart-wrenching situation.
The wheels of justice are now in motion, and it’s hoped that clarity and resolution can soon be brought to this shrouded case.
