Councilman, his wife and a female relative shot dead “by 25-year-olds” in two separate houses

A South Carolina councilman and his wife were shot dead in their home.

Matthew Allen Dewitt, 25, was arrested on suspicion of the murder of his father, Atlantic Beach City Councilman James Dewitt II, 52, and his mother Gloria, also 52, Sunday.

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Matthew has also been linked to the death of another relative, Natasha Stevens, 52, who was killed at her home on Highway 319 a few hours earlier, NBC reported.

Richland County police officers were responding to a welfare check at the councilman’s home when they found him and his wife.

“Upon arrival, deputies found two dead bodies with obvious gunshot wounds,” Richland County Police said.

“The Richland County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as Gloria Dewitt and James Dewitt, II, both 52, of Columbia.”

Neighbors told WLTX they were stunned by the violence.

“I feel sorry for the family … this is just a terrible thing,” said neighbor Rod Kent.

The charges against suspect Matthew Dewitt are yet to be determined.

No motive for the shooting was released.

The Horry County Police Department and Richard County Sheriff’s Department are continuing the investigation into the deaths of the three family members.

Matthew Dewitt remained in custody on Tuesday.

According to NBC Montana, his first hearing on the bond issue is scheduled for Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

Atlantic Beach is a historic black community outside of Myrtle Beach nicknamed “The Black Pearl”.

Segregation laws in the 1930s aided the city’s growth, as black civilians were barred from using white beaches, hotels, nightclubs, and other public spaces.