A South Carolina man has been sentenced in connection with a deadly shooting that turned a birthday celebration into a tragic scene of violence, leaving two women dead.
Dionte Mitchell of Seabrook pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He was sentenced to 25 years for the manslaughter charge and five years for the weapon charge, with both sentences to run concurrently.
Deadly Shooting at Birthday Party
The incident occurred on Dec. 4, 2021, when deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire at a home on Detour Road in Seabrook.
When authorities arrived, they found two women suffering from gunshot wounds. Flora Mae Gantt, 74, of Walterboro, was pronounced dead at the scene. Shaina Mulligan, 30, of Beaufort, died while being transported to the hospital.
Officials later described the gathering as “a birthday party turned from a celebration to violence.”
Chaos and Gunfire
According to investigators, several hundred people were in attendance when multiple fights broke out among groups with prior conflicts. The situation escalated quickly, ultimately leading to gunfire.
Authorities determined that Mitchell fired multiple shots at one victim. One of those bullets traveled into the home and struck the second woman, resulting in her death.
Months on the Run
Following the shooting, Mitchell fled the scene and remained at large for several months.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office worked with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate him. On June 8, 2022, Mitchell was found and arrested in Queens, New York.
He was initially charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Charges Reduced and Legal Outcome
Court records show that one of the murder charges was later dropped before trial. Prosecutors cited evidentiary challenges, including a dispute over whether the first victim may have been armed at the time of the shooting.
Those factors ultimately led to Mitchell accepting a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter rather than facing trial on murder charges.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Under South Carolina law, Mitchell must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for release.
In a statement, Assistant Solicitor Brandon R. Lanier described the case as a “senseless tragedy,” noting that what began as a celebration ended in loss of life due to ongoing personal conflicts.
Officials expressed condolences to the victims’ families, acknowledging that while the case has been resolved, it cannot undo the harm caused by the violence.
