In the early morning hours of May 26, 2022, a dispute in Sumter, South Carolina, escalated into deadly violence, claiming the life of 36-year-old Laquinton Donell Laster. Authorities were called to the vicinity of West Fulton and South Sumter streets around 8:30 a.m. regarding an unconscious person. Upon arrival, they discovered Mr. Laster's body outside of a vacant home. He had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather an isolated incident stemming from a confrontation between individuals who were acquainted with one another.
The investigation into the death of the male victim quickly led to two suspects. An initial probe indicated that an exchange of gunfire had occurred following a dispute between Laster and the two individuals. After the confrontation, Laster fled the scene on foot, while the suspects drove away. His body was discovered hours later. The Sumter Police Department identified the suspects as 33-year-old Ladonna Cortise Green and 24-year-old Damien Jeremiah Morgan. It was revealed that Green had been in a previous relationship with Laster.
Within a day of the fatal shooting, both suspects were in custody. Ladonna Green was apprehended on Thursday, the same day Laster's body was found. A warrant was subsequently issued for Damien Morgan, who turned himself in to authorities without incident the following evening. Both Green and Morgan have been charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Laquinton Donell Laster. They were being held at the Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detention Center as the investigation continued.
