From staff reports
Dionte Mitchell, 21, is wanted for the Dec. 4 Seabrook murders of Flora Mae Gantt and Shaina Mulligan, according to an alert released Friday by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday, Dec. 28, a Beaufort County magistrate issued warrants for the arrest of Mitchell for two counts of Murder and one count of Possession of a Weapon During the commission of a Violent Crime in connection with the shootings.
Since obtaining the warrants, investigators have been attempting to locate Mitchell, but he remains at large. The Sheriff’s Office believes Mitchell may have left the area.
Mitchell is listed in the National Crime Information Center as wanted for the Dec. 4 murders; he is to be considered armed and dangerous.
On Saturday, Dec. 4, at approximately 11 p.m., Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of shots fired on Detour Road in Seabrook. Upon arrival, deputies learned that two women were shot following a dispute at a party.
One of the women, 74-year-old Flora Mae Gantt of Walterboro, was pronounced dead at the scene, the other, 30-year old Shaina Mulligan of Beaufort, died en route to the hospital.
According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, through witnesses, it was learned that Mitchell had left the scene. Deputies later made contact with Mitchell, who met with Sheriff’s Office investigators to provide his account of the shooting; he was not immediately charged.
On Tuesday, Dec. 28, investigators met with a Beaufort County magistrate and presented the facts of the case. After reviewing the investigation, and based on probable cause, the magistrate issued warrants for the arrest Mitchell.
Anyone who has information on Dionte Mitchell’s whereabouts is urged to contact LCpl. Lyle Harris at 843- 255-3436 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554- 1111.
