Man sentenced five to seven years for involvement in 2019 Thanksgiving weekend shooting

A man was sentenced to five to seven years in prison for a 2019 Thanksgiving weekend shooting that claimed the life of 46-year-old Reginald Lawrence.

Carlton Benbow, 36, was tried for first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

The jury found him guilty of the lesser-included offense of voluntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 67-93 months in prison by Judge Kimberly Best.

The trial began Sept.12 and ended Sept.29.

Over Thanksgiving weekend in 2019, Lawrence, who was visiting Charlotte, was outside with others in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Benbow, who lived in the complex, approached the group, and an argument ensued.

According to investigators, Benbow fatally shot Lawrence and then fired at Lawrence’s adult stepchild but missed.