Topline: Officials allege the suspect entered the home ‘intent on killing everyone inside.’
Published: April 22, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Reuben Leonard (via Sumter County Sheriff's Office)
SUMTER, SC — A shocking incident has rocked a South Carolina community after an 80-year-old man allegedly opened fire inside a neighbor’s home, killing an 11-year-old girl and later admitting to fatally shooting his own wife, authorities say.
On the night of April 16, officers with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire at a residence on Floyd Drive around 10:32 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered a chaotic and heartbreaking scene.
According to witnesses, Reuben Arthur Leonard had entered the neighboring home and began “firing a weapon.”
Inside the home were “10 or 11 people,” including children, gathered for what should have been an ordinary evening. Instead, it turned into a nightmare.
Armed with an assault rifle and carrying a second firearm, Leonard stormed the residence “home invasion style,” according to Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner. He then “struck and killed” 11-year-old Ashly McFarland, who, Gardner said, died “instantly.”
The motive, investigators believe, stemmed from Leonard’s frustration with his neighbors over target shooting in their yard—a practice that, according to Gardner, was both legal and “nowhere near” Leonard’s property. “The people on Floyd Drive were target practicing in their backyard,” Gardner said, adding that no other neighbors had complained, according to WIS TV.
Leonard had repeatedly contacted police in the weeks leading up to the shooting and was charged with breach of peace just two days prior, on April 14. Despite that charge, his anger appeared to intensify, culminating in the violent attack.
Ashly’s father was also injured in the shooting. According to a fundraiser created in the family’s support, he was “also hit stopping [the] attacker from shooting others.” Family members managed to tackle Leonard and restrain him until deputies arrived, preventing what could have been an even greater tragedy.
During a press conference, Gardner revealed Leonard’s alleged intent: “to kill everybody at that residence.” He called the shooting “unprovoked, senseless, and something like this should never occur.”
While investigating the incident, authorities also learned of another victim. Leonard allegedly told deputies at the scene that he had also killed his wife, 76-year-old Felicia Leonard. She was later found dead from a gunshot wound in the garage of the couple’s home.
Authorities noted that while Leonard had a history of complaints, there was no indication he suffered from dementia or any diagnosed mental illness.
Following his arrest, Leonard was taken to a hospital for treatment related to injuries he sustained while being restrained. He was later booked into the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.
He now faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. At his initial court appearance on April 18, a judge denied bond due to the serious nature of the charges.
Leonard is expected to appear in court again on June 6.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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What Led an 80-Year-Old to Allegedly Kill His Wife and an 11-Year-Old Girl?
Officials allege the suspect entered the home ‘intent on killing everyone inside.’
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 22, 2025 7:30 am ET
Reuben Leonard (via Sumter County Sheriff's Office)
SUMTER, SC — A shocking incident has rocked a South Carolina community after an 80-year-old man allegedly opened fire inside a neighbor’s home, killing an 11-year-old girl and later admitting to fatally shooting his own wife, authorities say.
On the night of April 16, officers with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire at a residence on Floyd Drive around 10:32 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered a chaotic and heartbreaking scene.
According to witnesses, Reuben Arthur Leonard had entered the neighboring home and began “firing a weapon.”
Inside the home were “10 or 11 people,” including children, gathered for what should have been an ordinary evening. Instead, it turned into a nightmare.
Armed with an assault rifle and carrying a second firearm, Leonard stormed the residence “home invasion style,” according to Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner. He then “struck and killed” 11-year-old Ashly McFarland, who, Gardner said, died “instantly.”
The motive, investigators believe, stemmed from Leonard’s frustration with his neighbors over target shooting in their yard—a practice that, according to Gardner, was both legal and “nowhere near” Leonard’s property. “The people on Floyd Drive were target practicing in their backyard,” Gardner said, adding that no other neighbors had complained, according to WIS TV.
Leonard had repeatedly contacted police in the weeks leading up to the shooting and was charged with breach of peace just two days prior, on April 14. Despite that charge, his anger appeared to intensify, culminating in the violent attack.
Ashly’s father was also injured in the shooting. According to a fundraiser created in the family’s support, he was “also hit stopping [the] attacker from shooting others.” Family members managed to tackle Leonard and restrain him until deputies arrived, preventing what could have been an even greater tragedy.
During a press conference, Gardner revealed Leonard’s alleged intent: “to kill everybody at that residence.” He called the shooting “unprovoked, senseless, and something like this should never occur.”
While investigating the incident, authorities also learned of another victim. Leonard allegedly told deputies at the scene that he had also killed his wife, 76-year-old Felicia Leonard. She was later found dead from a gunshot wound in the garage of the couple’s home.
Authorities noted that while Leonard had a history of complaints, there was no indication he suffered from dementia or any diagnosed mental illness.
Following his arrest, Leonard was taken to a hospital for treatment related to injuries he sustained while being restrained. He was later booked into the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.
He now faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. At his initial court appearance on April 18, a judge denied bond due to the serious nature of the charges.
Leonard is expected to appear in court again on June 6.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
What Led an 80-Year-Old to Allegedly Kill His Wife and an 11-Year-Old Girl?
Officials allege the suspect entered the home ‘intent on killing everyone inside.’
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 22, 2025 7:30 am ET
Reuben Leonard (via Sumter County Sheriff's Office)
SUMTER, SC — A shocking incident has rocked a South Carolina community after an 80-year-old man allegedly opened fire inside a neighbor’s home, killing an 11-year-old girl and later admitting to fatally shooting his own wife, authorities say.
On the night of April 16, officers with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire at a residence on Floyd Drive around 10:32 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered a chaotic and heartbreaking scene.
According to witnesses, Reuben Arthur Leonard had entered the neighboring home and began “firing a weapon.”
Inside the home were “10 or 11 people,” including children, gathered for what should have been an ordinary evening. Instead, it turned into a nightmare.
Armed with an assault rifle and carrying a second firearm, Leonard stormed the residence “home invasion style,” according to Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner. He then “struck and killed” 11-year-old Ashly McFarland, who, Gardner said, died “instantly.”
The motive, investigators believe, stemmed from Leonard’s frustration with his neighbors over target shooting in their yard—a practice that, according to Gardner, was both legal and “nowhere near” Leonard’s property. “The people on Floyd Drive were target practicing in their backyard,” Gardner said, adding that no other neighbors had complained, according to WIS TV.
Leonard had repeatedly contacted police in the weeks leading up to the shooting and was charged with breach of peace just two days prior, on April 14. Despite that charge, his anger appeared to intensify, culminating in the violent attack.
Ashly’s father was also injured in the shooting. According to a fundraiser created in the family’s support, he was “also hit stopping [the] attacker from shooting others.” Family members managed to tackle Leonard and restrain him until deputies arrived, preventing what could have been an even greater tragedy.
During a press conference, Gardner revealed Leonard’s alleged intent: “to kill everybody at that residence.” He called the shooting “unprovoked, senseless, and something like this should never occur.”
While investigating the incident, authorities also learned of another victim. Leonard allegedly told deputies at the scene that he had also killed his wife, 76-year-old Felicia Leonard. She was later found dead from a gunshot wound in the garage of the couple’s home.
Authorities noted that while Leonard had a history of complaints, there was no indication he suffered from dementia or any diagnosed mental illness.
Following his arrest, Leonard was taken to a hospital for treatment related to injuries he sustained while being restrained. He was later booked into the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.
He now faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. At his initial court appearance on April 18, a judge denied bond due to the serious nature of the charges.
Leonard is expected to appear in court again on June 6.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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