On a tragic afternoon in the Fripp Point Community of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, 30-year-old Steven O'Neil Glover was fatally shot on November 18, 2020. The incident occurred at a residence on Stonewood Road, where Glover was found with multiple gunshot wounds. Another individual at the scene managed to escape the gunfire and alert authorities by calling 911 from a neighboring home.
An investigation revealed that Glover had been shot seven times, and his vehicle was struck by more than 30 bullets.
The motive behind the shooting was determined to be a robbery gone wrong. Two men, who were known to purchase marijuana from Glover, had planned to rob him instead. An exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in Glover's death. The events were partially captured on an outdoor camera, which aided investigators in identifying the suspects.
Within hours of the shooting, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office arrested two suspects in connection with the murder: Xavier Polite, then 20, of Seabrook, and Channon Preston, then 21, of St. Helena Island. Both men were charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
In October 2022, Channon Preston was found guilty of all charges and was sentenced to 37 years in prison. Following a separate trial in June 2023, Xavier Polite was also found guilty on the same charges and received an identical sentence of 37 years. The prosecution of both cases was handled by the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
