Christopher Benton McLeod, 29, of Carthage, North Carolina, was shot and killed on February 27, 2021, in Hartsville, South Carolina, during a planned sale of hemp products. He had traveled to Hartsville with his father, Joseph Martin McLeod, after flying into the local airport to meet potential buyers. Christopher reportedly told his father he had a bad feeling about the arranged transaction before the meeting turned violent.

A firearm was discharged during the interaction and Christopher was struck in the abdomen. Bystanders performed CPR until law enforcement arrived, but he died of his injuries. The individuals who fired the weapon fled the scene immediately.

The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office led an investigation and a multiagency manhunt involving Lee County and Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Offices, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the U.S. Marshals Service, using bloodhounds and a helicopter. Two suspects were arrested and charged with murder: Deangelo Marquell McFarland on March 11, 2021, and Ronnie James McDougal Jr., who surrendered on May 13, 2021. Christopher’s father was arrested at the scene on firearm and drug-related charges and later released on bond.

If anyone was in Hartsville on February 27, 2021, or has information about the meeting or the people involved, please share what is known.