In Saluda, South Carolina, on a Tuesday, the 16th of March in 2021, the life of 29-year-old Xavier Deshawn Cancer was tragically cut short. Born on January 10, 1992, in West Columbia, Xavier was a man known for his love of animals, especially dogs, and his passion for music. His greatest joy, however, was his family and his two children, a son and a daughter.
The events that led to his untimely death began with a dispute on social media.
A man named Aaron Sincere Hood had been sending inappropriate messages to another individual, which escalated to Hood threatening the person and their friends with a gun after showing up at their house. Xavier arrived at the scene shortly after this initial confrontation, intending to simply hang out with his friends. The situation, however, quickly turned its focus to him. An agreement was made to settle the dispute with a fistfight, under the condition that no guns would be involved. Hood handed his gun to a co-defendant before the fight began.
The physical altercation had barely started, lasting only about ten seconds, when Hood asked for his gun back. As the co-defendant attempted to pass the weapon, the other individual involved in the initial social media argument tried to intervene. Despite this effort, the gun made its way back into Hood's hands. He then shot Xavier in the chest. After shooting Xavier, Hood pistol-whipped the other individual before fleeing the scene. An autopsy later revealed that the fatal shot was fired from a distance of more than three feet and traveled across Xavier's chest at a downward angle, consistent with him turning and crouching to avoid being shot.
The investigation that followed led to the arrest of Aaron Sincere Hood. During the trial, witness testimony recounted the events of that day. Forensic evidence also played a crucial role, with gunshot residue being found on Hood's clothing and hands. In September 2023, a Saluda County jury convicted the 20-year-old Hood for the murder of Xavier Cancer. He was sentenced to thirty-four years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, a sentence he must serve in its entirety without the possibility of parole. Hood was also found guilty of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature for the attack on the second individual, receiving a concurrent twenty-year sentence for that charge. During the sentencing, Xavier's parents addressed the court, sharing the profound sadness of losing their son in such a senseless act of violence.
