Suspect in Beatties Ford Road shooting to appear in court

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The suspect in a deadly shooting is set to appear in court Wednesday.

Arthur Givens, 40, is charged in the shooting death of 38-year-old Donald Gist in north Charlotte.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Friday, Charlotte Mecklenburg police were called to the 2100 block of Beatties Ford Road near LaSalle Street, where they found Gist dead from a gunshot wound.

Gist is the brother-in-law of Columbia, S.C., Mayor Steven Benjamin. His family said he was visiting friends and other family in Charlotte when he was killed.

SLIDESHOW: Paramedics: 1 dead in shooting on Beatties Ford Road

Gist was also a paralegal at his family's law firm in Columbia. Channel 9 spoke to his father by phone Tuesday night.

"It's something that no human being should be able to inflict on another human being in terms of murdering my son," Donald Gist, Sr. said

Detectives charged Givens Tuesday for Gist's murder. They said Givens was found at a home on Echodale Drive. According to police, Givens has an extensive history of violent arrests.

Gist's family said they want to know why Givens wasn't already behind bars.

Givens is charged with murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, assault with a deadly weapon and communicating threats.

Gist leaves behind a wife and 15-year-old son.

Related Story:

• Dec. 7: Columbia mayor's brother-in-law killed in shooting; Suspect ID'd

• Dec. 9: $5,000 reward offered in Beatties Ford fatal shooting

WSOC