Spartanburg County’s Double Shooting: Tragic Loss in a Seemingly Peaceful Community
In the quiet of Spartanburg County, tragedies are far from commonplace. Yet shock waves rippled through the community when two locals were found dead in a motel room on a Thursday afternoon. Local authorities have since made an arrest in connection to this tragic incident.
The disquieting turn of events took place at the HomeTowne Studios on Mobile Drive, just shy of 4 in the afternoon. A woman, identified as 30-year-old Kayla Michelle Benton, made a chilling call to 911 from Spruce Street Apartments just before the alarm was raised. Benton reported that she had shot two people in a motel room.
The local law enforcement promptly arrived at the scene where they discovered two victims, each plagued with multiple gunshot wounds. The victims were later identified as 32-year-old Sherman Armand Sims and 38-year-old Susan Marie Gonzalez, both residents of Spartanburg.
Deputies sprang into action and canvassed the apartment complex for the 911 caller. Eventually, they managed to locate Benton and took her into custody for questioning.
A Shocking Incident in a Tranquil Place
“This is a very rare thing, it doesnโt happen here,” said Carson Scott, the HomeTowne Studioโs Manager. He reiterated his faith in the security of the community and suggested that the crime might be a result of personal conflicts, claiming, “Itโs not like somebody coming in and breaking into a room and killing ’em. To me, it seems like a love crime.”
Scott sadly reflected on the loss, stating, “It breaks my heart that you know, such a young man and such a young woman had to lose their life over something.”
Digging deeper into the investigation, there was a twist. During the interrogation, Benton defended her actions on grounds of self-defense. However, evidence at the crime scene directly contradicted her claims. According to the investigators, all involved parties knew each other and there had been a verbal and physical altercation amongst the group just hours before the shooting took place.
Pending Investigation and Lasting Impact
As it stands, the Spartanburg County Detention Center has taken custody of Benton. Charged with two counts of murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon, Benton awaits her fate as the case remains under active investigation.
In a community that largely considers itself safe, a tragic event like this serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life. As Scott remarked, a poignant reminder for us all, “Hold your loved ones tight because you never know whatโs going to happen.”
This incident has inevitably left a dent in the community’s tranquility. It’s a trying time for the people of Spartanburg County as they mourn their lost ones and wait for the completion of the investigation, hoping that justice will be served.
