Local

Columbia mayor's brother-in-law killed in shooting; Suspect ID'd

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The victim in the Beatties Ford Road shooting has been identified as the brother-in-law of the Columbia, S.C. mayor, according to Columbia, S.C., Mayor Steve Benjamin's office.

Police are investigating the fatal shooting that killed Donald Gist Jr. in the 2100 block of Beatties Ford Road.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department received a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon at Queens Mini Mart around 1:16 p.m. Friday.

Police said Gist was killed after being shot in the head.

Police said they have issued an arrest warrant for Arthur Givens in connection to the shooting.

The Gist and Benjamin families issued a statement that read, "The shock and sadness of (the) past few hours have been difficult to bear. We will remember Donald as he was a loving husband, father, son and brother. He is survived (by) his wife, son, sister and a host of loving relatives. We will continue to lean on our faith in Almighty God and each other as we try to make sense of this tragedy. We thank you all for the tremendous outpouring of support and we ask for your continued prayers in the days and weeks to come.”

Police said it appears the victim and the shooter knew each other and it was not a random act of violence. They said the crime had nothing to do with the store.

"I just heard it, you know? We just came over to the scene and we saw the man lying down on the ground," said Charlotte resident Ashley Muldrow.

Detectives with the homicide unit are canvassing the area to determine whether there are any additional witnesses to the shooting.

"I was across the street. I saw him. I heard the shots. It was about eight or nine shots," said neighbor Victor Brown. "It was scary. Everybody scattered out. It was very scary."

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call 704-432-TIPS.

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