Man who shot, killed his son near Pine Ridge and Gaston sentenced to long prison term by judge
Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) - Heirberone Heava Foster, age 58, was convicted of Murder by a Lexington County jury late Thursday evening and sentenced to thirty (30) years in prison for killing his son, Will Foster. The sentence was imposed by the Honorable William P. Keesley following a week long jury trial. Foster was also found guilty of Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime. Under South Carolina law, Murder is classified as a “no parole” offense.
On May 10, 2016, Will, age 24, was shot and killed in his front yard off Bachman Road near Pine Ridge and Gaston following an argument with his father over a barbeque grill. During the trial, multiple witnesses testified that after the verbal altercation was over, Foster went inside the residence for several minutes. He then returned outside carrying a pump action shotgun. He approached his son, aimed the shotgun at his him, and shot the younger Foster in the chest. He then tried to flee. Will was pronounced dead at the scene.
The elder Foster had grown up in and around South Congaree and had been in that area most of his life. Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department were quickly able to apprehend him. The investigation was led by Investigator Brandon Miller with assistance by other investigators of the Major Crimes Unit as well as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Senior Assistant Solicitor Rhonda W. Patterson and Assistant Solicitor Luke Pincelli prosecuted the case for the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Senior Assistant Solicitor Patterson commented that “this was a senseless killing that has torn a family apart.”
Foster has prior convictions for Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature, Aggravated Assault and Battery, Assault of a High and Aggravated Nature, Disorderly Conduct, and multiple other convictions.
Foster will be transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.
