In the early morning hours of February 23, 2023, the quiet of a Belton, South Carolina home was shattered by a senseless act of violence. Inside, 14-year-old Elijah Delbert Allen Sergent, a male student at Palmetto High School, was in his kitchen when multiple shots were fired into his residence in a drive-by shooting. Struck by a bullet, the ninth grader tragically lost his life.
The Anderson County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene on Willingham Road just after 2:30 a.m., discovering numerous bullet holes riddling the house.
The investigation into the death of the young high school student quickly moved forward, leading to the apprehension of three suspects. Anthony Howard, Gracelynn Smith, and an unidentified 17-year-old male were taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting. Investigators believe that an argument preceded the incident and that Elijah was acquainted with both Howard and the teenage suspect. It was reported that the vehicle carrying the suspects drove past the house multiple times before the shots were fired.
Initially, the trio faced charges of discharging a firearm into a dwelling and manslaughter. However, as the investigation progressed and more information was gathered, the charges were upgraded to murder. Following their arrests, the three suspects were held without bond at the Anderson County Detention Center. The 17-year-old suspect was to be charged as an adult. In the subsequent legal proceedings, the teenage suspect pleaded guilty. The cases for the other two defendants continue, with Gracelynn Smith's plea hearing being rescheduled and Anthony Howard awaiting his trial.
