In a quiet Sumter, South Carolina neighborhood, a dispute over backyard target practice escalated into a horrific tragedy, leaving two families shattered. On the evening of April 16, 2025, 76-year-old Felicia Leonard was found shot to death in the garage of her Saltwood Drive home. The grim discovery was made after her 80-year-old husband, Reuben Arthur Leonard, allegedly embarked on a deadly rampage that would also claim the life of an 11-year-old girl.
For weeks, Reuben Leonard had
been embroiled in a conflict with his neighbors on Floyd Drive, who were legally engaging in target practice in their yard. Leonard had made several complaints to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office regarding the noise. On the night of the shootings, after allegedly killing his wife, Reuben, armed with an assault rifle, walked through the woods to his neighbors' home. He then forced his way inside in a 'home invasion style' and opened fire on the approximately 10 people present, with the intent, investigators believe, of killing everyone in the house.
During the chaotic scene, 11-year-old Ashly McFarland was struck by gunfire and died instantly. Family members inside the home managed to subdue Reuben Leonard and hold him until law enforcement arrived. While being taken into custody, Leonard reportedly told deputies, 'Check on my wife. I shot her, too.' This prompted a welfare check at his residence, leading to the discovery of Felicia Leonard's body. The motive for her killing remains under investigation.
Reuben Arthur Leonard was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder, among other charges. He made his first court appearance on April 18, 2025, where he was denied bond due to the severity of the charges. Authorities have indicated that Leonard was not suffering from dementia or any other known mental illness at the time of the incident. His next court appearance was scheduled for June 6, 2025.
