North Charleston, SC – A man convicted in a murder-for-hire scheme in South Carolina has been sentenced to life in prison after tracking and killing a father-to-be in a premeditated attack.
Hitman Sentenced to Life
Quinton Taylor, 40, was handed a life sentence, the South Carolina Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office announced Monday. A Charleston County jury found Taylor guilty on murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime last Friday.
Authorities say the crime was meticulously planned. Taylor had been tracking 27-year-old DeAndre Rivers for days using a GPS device placed on Rivers’ car.
Timeline of the Murder
In the early morning hours of May 6, 2020, Taylor lay in wait as Rivers left a friend’s house on Gullah Avenue in North Charleston just after 4:30 a.m. Taylor fired six shots, killing Rivers instantly.
Police investigation revealed a black Dodge Ram pickup truck had been circling the area hours before and immediately after the shooting. Tracing the truck’s rental history led detectives directly to Taylor, who had provided his address, phone number, and email when renting the vehicle.
Evidence Found by Authorities
Just 12 hours after the murder, Taylor was stopped by police. Evidence recovered from the truck and his home included:
- Taylor’s iPhone containing multiple text messages and call logs
- A black T-shirt
- A purple Crown Royal bag holding a black ski mask and $11,300 cash
- A single unfired round matching the crime scene shell casings
Investigators found text messages spanning nine days before the murder, including a message sent minutes after the shooting reading simply: “Done.”
Co-Conspirator and Payment Coordination
Taylor was reportedly hired by an inmate at Evans Correctional Institution, identified as 33-year-old Darrell Williams, to carry out the hit. Investigators confirmed that Williams coordinated with a third party to provide payment to Taylor, with cell tower data placing Taylor and the third party together hours before his arrest in West Ashley, south of North Charleston.
Williams has been charged with accessory before the fact of a felony and will make his initial court appearance on October 17.
Victim Remembered by Family and Friends
DeAndre Rivers, described in his obituary as “soft-spoken, sweet, and always with a charming smirk,” was set to become a father. The obituary praised his loyalty, care for loved ones, and passion for basketball, sneaker collecting, and traveling.
“He touched many lives with his presence, and to know him was to love him,” the obituary read.
Friends and family continue to mourn Rivers’ death while the community reflects on the shocking premeditated nature of the crime.
Previous Criminal History of the Perpetrator
Taylor had prior convictions including third-degree burglary, unlawful carrying of a pistol, and disturbing schools, highlighting a pattern of criminal behavior before committing the murder-for-hire.
Conclusion
The life sentence serves as a stern warning against premeditated violent crimes and reinforces law enforcement efforts in tracking and prosecuting murder-for-hire schemes.
What are your thoughts on this case? Share your views in the comments below.
