In the small community of Belton, South Carolina, Michael Alexander McMinn was known for his kind and caring nature. At 22 years old, he was a beloved physical education teacher at Belton Preparatory Academy, where he brought energy and enthusiasm to his students. The son of a pastor, he was deeply rooted in his community and a member of the Whitefield Baptist Church.
His life, however, was tragically cut short on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
On that autumn morning, in a home in Abbeville, a relative was showing McMinn a new firearm. In a harrowing turn of events, the gun unintentionally discharged, striking the young teacher. Emergency services were called to the residence on Kiwi Road around 12:30 a.m. McMinn was found in a bedroom with a single gunshot wound and was airlifted to a hospital for medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Michael Alexander McMinn succumbed to his injuries.
The Abbeville County Sheriff's Office investigated the shooting and ultimately ruled it as accidental. Authorities stated that a family member, who is also a firefighter in Abbeville County, was racking the slide of the new gun when it fired. Due to the accidental nature of the incident, officials announced that no charges would be filed in connection with McMinn's death. The community mourned the loss of the young man, remembered for the selfless and unconditional love he showed to everyone he met. In his memory, his family established the Alex McMinn Love One Another Legacy Fund at Anderson University, where he was set to graduate in December.
