SUMTER, S.C. — Sumter police say they've arrested two suspects in connection with the death of one woman and the injuring of another.
Officers say 51-year-old Mustafa Abdur Salaam and his fiancée France Pascale Metellus, 46, was taken into custody Saturday morning after being found at a local hotel.
Sumter police responded to the Chestnut Pointe Apartments on Roxbury Court around 8:15 p.m. Friday regarding an assault. When they got there, they found Joyce Ann Bennett, 57, of Manning, dead at the scene. Lorraine Doretha Bennett, 57, her sister, was found severely injured. Lorraine Bennett was transported to a Columbia hospital where she remains in critical condition.
Investigators gathered information that suggests Salaam had been in a relationship with Lorraine Bennett, who had recently moved to Manning from Sumter. Joyce Bennett was at her sister Lorraine Bennett's former Sumter address on Roxbury Court when Salaam and Metellus arrived.
An argument began and shots were fired, then Salaam and Metellus left the scene in separate vehicles.
Salaam has been charged with murder and attempted murder, Metellus has been charged with accessory after the fact of murder and accessory after the fact of attempted murder.
Bond was denied for both suspects during a Sunday morning court appearance.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Sumter Police Department at (803) 436-2700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
