On the evening of March 23, 2022, 52-year-old Malcolm Xavier Donaldson, a Black male, was tragically killed in a shooting in Burton, South Carolina. He was on his way to a celebration of life for a friend who had recently passed away when the incident occurred. At approximately 8:30 p.m., as he was turning onto Lexxus Lane near Milledge Village Road, gunfire erupted.
Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a gunshot victim and found Donaldson inside his
vehicle. Emergency medical services attempted life-saving measures at the scene and transported him to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Evidence collected at the scene, including different types of cartridge casings, indicated that multiple shooters were likely involved in the attack. The individuals responsible for the shooting fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
The investigation into Donaldson's death revealed a heartbreaking case of mistaken identity. Authorities believe that Donaldson was not the intended target of the shooters. He was tragically singled out because his vehicle was similar to that of the actual target, who was known to have a criminal history. Investigators have emphasized that Donaldson was a hardworking man with no criminal involvement, who was deeply devoted to his family, especially his children and grandchildren.
As of early 2024, the investigation into Malcolm Donaldson's murder remains ongoing. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office has made public appeals for information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the suspects involved in this senseless act of violence. No arrests have been made, and his family continues to seek justice for his untimely death.
