David Bridges
Essential Points
- Incident: In May 2022, a drive-by shooting resulted in the tragic death of 6-year-old Winston Hunter.
- Perpetrator: Michael Thomas Lloyd received a life sentence after pleading guilty to the murder.
- Other Suspects: Two additional men involved in the incident are also serving life sentences without parole.
- Family Impact: Winston’s mother expressed her heartbreak during the sentencing, highlighting the permanent loss of memories with her son.
South Carolina man Michael Thomas Lloyd will serve life in prison for killing 6-year-old Winston Hunter in a 2022 shooting. Gunshots rang out on May 13, 2022, hitting Hunter’s home and taking his life moments later.
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Details On Winston Hunter’s Tragic Passing
According to PEOPLE, on Oct. 14, Michael Thomas Lloyd pleaded guilty to the May 2022 drive-by shooting, which claimed the life of 6-year-old Winston Hunter. Two other men involved, Jeremiah Harley and Ethan Anderson, also admitted to the murder in 2024 and are now serving life sentences without parole. Lloyd and his crew allegedly fired at least 21 bullets into Winston Hunter’s home. Winston was lying on the couch watching TV when gunfire reportedly struck him in the head and wrist. First responders arrived shortly after, but found Winston dead at the scene. Prosecutors said Lloyd confessed to opening fire on the home because he thought it belonged to a drug dealer. Investigators recovered three firearms during the case, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed the weapons matched the shell casings found at the scene.
Here’s How Cops Tracked Down The Men Behind The Deadly Shooting
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage that showed a light-colored sedan speeding to and from the neighborhood around the time of the shooting. After the video circulated publicly, the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from law enforcement in Ontario County, New York. Officers there pulled over a car that matched the description and detained two suspects, per WLTX.
Winston’s Family Breaks Silence During Michael Thomas Lloyd’s Sentencing
According to ABC News 4, Winston’s mother, Courtney Hunter, opened up about her son’s tragic death. She told the courtroom during Michael Thomas Lloyd’s sentencing that losing her baby has left her heartbroken. “We’ll never be able to spend time or make memories with him again,” Courtney reportedly said. In addition, 911 calls captured Courtney screaming after the shooting, saying, “They shot my baby.” Furthermore, Courtney added that the only graduation photo she will ever have of Winston was from his kindergarten graduation, which was allegedly taken just six days before he was killed in the shooting.
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