Teen Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years for Accidental Shooting

News Summary

A tragic incident on March 2, 2024, resulted in the accidental shooting death of 6-year-old Frankie Washington on St. Helena Island. Benjamin Shamar Seabrook IV, 19, has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felonies, including involuntary manslaughter. The case raises serious concerns about firearm safety and responsibility in households. The community is mourning the loss of a bright young boy, while the legal ramifications will impact Seabrook’s life for years to come.

Tragic Outcome: Teen Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years for Accidental Shooting

In a heart-wrenching incident that has affected the community of St. Helena Island, a 19-year-old, Benjamin Shamar Seabrook IV, has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison. This unfortunate situation arose from the accidental shooting death of a 6-year-old boy, Frankie Washington, who lost his life due to a tragic set of circumstances on March 2, 2024.

The Fateful Day

On that fateful day, little Frankie was left unattended in a room at the Cross Creek Apartments. In an incredibly disturbing turn of events, a switch-modified pistol, which is classified as a machine gun under federal law and is illegal, was found stored under a pillow in the bedroom. The firearm accidently discharged, striking Frankie in the head. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries approximately nine hours later at a children’s hospital in Charleston.

Legal Ramifications

As the investigation unfolded, Seabrook pleaded guilty to seven felonies, which included some of the most serious charges: involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and filing a false police report. After the incident, he attempted to mislead authorities by hiding the firearm and concocting a story that gunfire had come from outside the apartment.

Seabrook’s troubles didn’t end there. He also faced convictions for other serious offenses, including armed robbery, felony assault, and unlawful firearm possession, which stemmed from a carjacking incident that took place earlier in January 2024. Unshockingly, these charges only added to the weight of his sentencing.

Sentencing Details

In total, the judge decided on a sentence that will keep Seabrook behind bars for nearly a decade. He will serve approximately nine years after receiving credit for 306 days already spent in jail. Once released, he will be under probation for an additional five years. All seven felony sentences will be served concurrently, making it a relatively lighter sentence compared to what was on the table initially.

Community Impact

The community is still reeling from the loss of Frankie Washington. He was a bright young boy who attended Whale Branch Elementary School and was born in 2017. His passing has left a profound impact on those who knew him and raised critical questions regarding safety and responsibility, especially in households with firearms.

Additional Charges and Dismissals

Seabrook was arrested by the Beaufort Police Department on March 15, 2024. Additional charges for unlawfully placing a child at risk and tampering with physical evidence were dismissed during his sentencing, reflecting the legal complexities involved in this heart-wrenching case. It’s noteworthy that Seabrook’s half-sister, Desarai Bennett, who was charged as an accessory, also had her case dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Life Beyond Bars

As of February 20, 2025, Seabrook is currently held at the Kirkland Correctional Institution, a facility known for housing high-risk offenders. It remains to be seen what his life will be like inside, but one thing is clear: the shadows of this tragedy will linger long in the hearts of the St. Helena Island community. The incident serves as a painful reminder of the serious responsibility that comes with firearm ownership and the monumental consequences that can arise from negligence.

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• Island Packet
• Wikipedia: Firearm Safety
• Live 5 News
• Google Search: Beaufort County shooting
• WTOC
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Violence
• WSAV
• Google News: Beaufort County shooting