Man Sentenced to Life for Killing Two at South Carolina Apartment

Prosecutors say the 50-year-old New York man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murders in front of young children.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 50-year-old man from New York who argued with two people before gunning them down in front of young children at an apartment complex in South Carolina will spend the rest of his life behind bars, according to prosecutors. Charles Saunders was found guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime for the June 2024 shooting deaths of Alesia Dykes and Bernard Alexander Lyles.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating impact of gun violence, especially when it occurs in the presence of children. It also raises questions about the criminal history and rehabilitation efforts for repeat offenders like Saunders, who had a prior record in New York before committing these murders in South Carolina.

The details

Witnesses said Saunders got into an argument with Dykes and Lyles at the Walsh Drive Apartments in Hardeeville. When the argument escalated, Dykes and Lyles tried to separate by going inside the apartment, but Saunders stepped into the threshold, pulled a handgun, and began shooting, killing both Dykes and Lyles. One of three young children in the apartment ran to a neighboring apartment to get help. Saunders fled the scene but was later apprehended at a Waffle House in Ridgeland.

  • On June 18, 2024, the shooting occurred around noon at the Walsh Drive Apartments in Hardeeville, South Carolina.
  • Several hours after the shooting, Saunders was apprehended at a Waffle House in Ridgeland.
  • On February 19, 2026, a Jasper County jury found Saunders guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
  • On February 19, 2026, Circuit Court Judge Carmen T. Mullen sentenced Saunders to life in prison.

The players

Charles Saunders

A 50-year-old man from New York who was convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime for the shooting deaths of Alesia Dykes and Bernard Alexander Lyles.

Alesia Dykes

One of the two victims killed by Saunders in the shooting at the Walsh Drive Apartments.

Bernard Alexander Lyles

One of the two victims killed by Saunders in the shooting at the Walsh Drive Apartments.

Trasi Campbell

A prosecutor from the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office who prosecuted the case against Saunders.

Carmen T. Mullen

The Circuit Court Judge who sentenced Saunders to life in prison.

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What they’re saying

“'[Saunders] chose to repay trust and hospitality with violence of the most horrendous sort. Charles Saunders has lived a life of violence, and today's outcome ensures he no longer endangers the public.'”

— Trasi Campbell, Prosecutor, 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office (wyff4.com)

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need for comprehensive criminal justice reform, mental health support, and community-based violence prevention programs to address the root causes of such senseless acts and protect innocent lives, especially the most vulnerable.