From staff reports
BEAUFORT — A Grays Hill man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a 2019 shooting at a Seabrook home.
Alexander Xavier Smalls, 26, pleaded guilty as charged Tuesday to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. His plea came just before his jury trial was to begin in Beaufort County General Sessions Court.
Assistant Solicitor Samantha Molina of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted the case.
At about 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22, 2019, authorities were called to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her right thigh. The victim told investigators that Smalls argued with her, fired two warning shots, then struck her in the leg with a third shot. Smalls and two others placed her in a green Jeep and drove her to the hospital, dropping Smalls off along the way.
While at the hospital, the victim spoke with Smalls by phone in the presence of law enforcement. During the call, Smalls apologized as the victim berated him for shooting her. Deputies later located the Jeep, which contained blood, two of Smalls’ identification cards, a 9mm pistol, loose ammunition and a spent shell casing. DNA testing linked Smalls to the firearm, magazine, and ammunition.
Circuit Court Judge Dale E. Van Slambrook imposed the sentence.
Smalls also faces charges in three unrelated cases. He and a co-defendant are charged with attempted murder, aggravated breach of peace and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime in connection with a 2023 convenience store shooting in northern Beaufort County. After his bond was revoked, Smalls picked up a mob-violence charge at the Beaufort County Detention Center in 2025 after being accused of joining an assault on another detainee. He is also a co-defendant in a federal human trafficking case.
Those charges remain pending, and Smalls is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
