South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to First-Degree Murder in Virginia Police Officer’s Shooting Death
In Wise, Virginia, a man originally from South Carolina has opted to plead guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the 2021 shooting death of a local police officer. The accused, Michael Donivan White, who hails from Cross, South Carolina, made his admission of guilt in the Wise County Circuit Court yesterday. The charge against him relates to the fatal shooting of Officer Michael Chandler from the Big Stone Gap police department.
The Incident
Officer Michael Chandler, who was 29 at the time of the incident, was fatally shot while responding to a call just outside the Big Stone Gap limits back on November 13, 2021. He succumbed to the injuries later that evening. Following the incident, police apprehended the suspect, White, from Tennessee.
The Charges
Originally, White was confronting a total of 13 charges, the two most severe ones being aggravated murder of a police officer and felony murder. However, a plea deal was negotiated in which the accused agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of first-degree murder. In exchange, the prosecution dropped its pursuit of a life sentence for White, opting instead for a term of 40 to 100 years in prison. This decision was taken in consultation with Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney Brett Hall.
Considering the Victim’s Family
In making decisions regarding White’s plea agreement and sentence, the prosecuting attorney’s office took into account the sentiments and thoughts of the victim’s family. Specifically, they consulted with the widow of slain Officer Chandler, Natasha Chandler, as well as the current police chief of Big Stone Gap, Chief Steve Hamm.
Upcoming Federal Charges
In addition to the state-level charges and case occurring in Virginia, White is also facing federal charges in connection with Officer Chandler’s murder. Federal prosecutors and the office of Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney are coordinating efforts to secure a similar plea agreement for these charges. The sentencing for White is set to take place on August 21.
Reactions to the Verdict
The news of the guilty plea has sent tremors through the communities affected by this crime. As the families, friends, and colleagues of the slain officer prepare for the sentencing of his killer, their hopes are now pinned on receiving justice and finding some sort of closure to this heinous incident that shook their lives
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
