South Carolina mayor's brother-in-law 'executed by career criminal' in broad daylight outside of mini-mart

  • Donald Gist Jr was shot dead by Arthur Givens
  • Both men have criminal histories, but Mr Givens' is considerably more extensive and violent
  • Mr Givens has 38 charges - including for assault, drugs and breaking and entering - as well as prison time to his name

By Ryan Gorman and Associated Press Reporter

PUBLISHED: 20:21 EST, 7 December 2013 | UPDATED: 20:50 EST, 7 December 2013

The brother-in-law of Columbia, South Carolina mayor was shot dead execution style Friday outside a Charlotte, NC mini-mart.

Witnesses reported hearing as many as nine shots fired at Donald Gist Jr., whose sister is Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin’s wife, in the brazen daylight murder. One witness said there were multiple bullet wounds to his head.

Authorities have fingered violent career criminal Arthur Givens, 40, as the main suspect in the killing, and have issued a warrant for his arrest as they hunt him down.

Arthur Givens
DeAndrea Benjamin

Sudden death: Arthur Givens (left) shot dead the brother of DeAndrea Benjamin (left), wife of Columbia, SC Mayor Steve Benjamin, early Friday afternoon

‘I was across the street. I saw him. I heard the shots. It was about eight or nine shots,’ Victor Brown told WSOC. ‘It was scary. Everybody scattered out. It was very scary.’

The shooting took place just after 1PM, according to eyewitness accounts. It occurred in the parking lot of the Queens Mini Mart.

Mr Givens reportedly hit Mr Gist with multiple rounds in the horrifying attack.

One witness decribed the grizzly scene to News14 Carolina.

‘I just walked up here and seen a guy laying on the ground, look like he got shot in the head a couple of times,’ said Sheba Kennedy.

Scene of the crime: Authorities descended on the parking lot of Queens Mini-Mart, in Charlotte's Uptown neighborhood

Scene of the crime: Authorities descended on the parking lot of Queens Mini-Mart, in Charlotte's Uptown neighborhood

Gathering evidence: Homicide detectives interviewed eyewitnesses and gathered evidence from the scene of the horrifying execution

Gathering evidence: Homicide detectives interviewed eyewitnesses and gathered evidence from the scene of the horrifying execution

The store is located on a busy thoroughfare, there were many witnesses to the cold-blooded killing.

‘We just came over to the scene and we saw the man lying down on the ground,’ another told WSOC.
Police aren’t sure why Mr Gist was in Charlotte, but they have said they do not believe the attack was random.

A local resident who spoke to NBC Charlotte was outraged by the shocking slaying.

‘It makes me mad, it makes me very mad,’ said Kevin Biddle. ‘Because this don’t make no sense. It shouldn’t be where a person got to be scared to walk the streets, this is crazy.’

‘It does not appear to be a random act of violence,’ Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department spokesperson Mike Harris told local media during a press briefing.

‘The suspect and the victim appear to have known each other.’

 

More...

Authorities have not said how the two men know each other, but a MailOnline review of court records revealed they both have a criminal past.

Mr Givens has an extensive criminal history dating back four decades to 1989.

Among the 38 criminal complaints leveled against him during his lifelong crime spree are several breaking and entering charges, multiple narcotics possession with the intent to distribute charges, several assault charges - including three this year alone - and multiple stints in prison.

Mr Gist has a handful of fraud and theft charges, one count of burglary and multiple drug charges on his criminal record. He served one year in prison for the drug charge.

Part of the investigation: Police swarmed this house in suburban Charlotte, but have not said why they were there

Part of the investigation: Police swarmed this house in suburban Charlotte, but have not said why they were there

The Columbia Mayor’s Office released the following statement regarding the death of Mr Gist.

‘The shock and sadness of [the] past few hours have been difficult to bear. We will remember Donald as he was: a loving husband, father, son and brother…’

‘We thank you all for the tremendous outpouring of support and we ask for your continued prayers in the days and weeks to come.’

Mr Gist is survived by his wife and son, police are still searching for his killer.

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"South Carolina mayor's brother-in-law '" South Carolina has a Mayor?! /sarcasm

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I see this story has brought out the Kompassionate Kristian Konservatives.

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What a horrible thing. What is this world coming to?

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Jackin,Gerry,jimmyjames,great to see more people waking up.You know I see a lot of these democratic people on tv commercials these days but non act like the ones in the real world.I wonder why.

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the fruit doesntr fall far from the tree usually. So its strange ,and confusing that his sisters a Judge ,and his brothe in law the Mayor.Isnt it.

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Wow

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Mayor Benjamin is wonderful and his wife (the victim's sister) is a well-respected judge. This was a terrible incident, no matter the circumstances Prayers to the family

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Democrats are really violent these days. I think I'll keep my guns for now.

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I read a lot of your post on here and you come off as very ignorant person by the comments you leave on here. I'll just show you some love, like I'm taught to do and maybe if more people start loving on you, then your nasty views and comments will subside. If you think that the issues of our country is that of a democratic and republican one then you're truly misguided along with the other people who feel the way you do. I truly feel sorry for all of you because you're missing the big picture.

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Just another disagreement between two obama worshippers.

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Oh ,and that there mutual enemies mifght not have been behind its hasnt occured to you, of course ,since your a republican ,like the Dily Mail owners obviuously.

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How 'vibrant' and 'energetic'....

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