Reuben Leonard, aged 80, faces charges of two counts of first-degree murder along with several counts of attempted murder.
A man from South Carolina is accused of killing his wife before going next door and fatally shooting his neighbor's 11-year-old granddaughter.
According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, Arthur Leonard, 80, entered his neighbors' residence armed with an assault rifle on the evening of April 16 and opened fire on the 10 or 11 individuals present at the time.
Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner stated during a press conference that an "11-year-old girl was shot and killed" in the incident.
The Sumter County Coroner's Office has identified the young victim as Ashly McFarland.
A GoFundMe campaign established for the family indicates that the girl's father was also shot while attempting to subdue the shooter during the attack.
Authorities were alerted to the scene just before 11 p.m. and found family members restraining Leonard, as reported by the SCSO.
Emergency medical technicians attempted life-saving measures on the girl, but she was ultimately declared dead at the scene, according to Gardner.
The situation escalated when Leonard allegedly confessed to deputies during booking that he had also killed his wife, as per the SCSO.
Deputies then contacted the Sumter Police Department to conduct a welfare check at Leonard's residence, where they discovered his wife deceased in their garage from an apparent gunshot wound.
The Sumter County Coroner's Office identified the second victim as 76-year-old Felicia Leonard.
Gardner mentioned at the press conference that there had been ongoing tensions between Leonard and his neighbors, who frequently practiced target shooting in their backyard, a legal activity under state law.
Leonard had previously contacted the SCSO multiple times to voice complaints about his neighbors, according to Deputy Gardner, and many deputies were already familiar with him and the ongoing disputes.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries and was subsequently booked into the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center the following day.
Court documents reveal that Leonard had been arrested just two days prior to the shooting on a breach of peace charge.
Currently, Leonard does not have an attorney listed.
In the meantime, the Sumter School District released a statement regarding Ashly, stating: "She was a bright and joyful student who made a lasting impact on her classmates, teachers, and school community. Her passing is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
Sheriff Anthony Dennis remarked that his investigators are "working diligently to uncover all the details," and assured that the SCSO will provide further information on this "horrific incident" as it becomes available.