A Gulfport man will spend 30 years in prison following a fatal stabbing outside of a local nonprofit.
According to officials, Octavius Benton Sr., 51, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Benton was the culprit behind the 2023 stabbing of Damien Lindsey right outside Feed My Sheep, an outreach center that serves to feed the homeless.
The stabbing happened after Lindsey encountered Benton’s girlfriend, who was in a wheelchair. Witnesses and surveillance footage showed that after a brief verbal exchange, Lindsey struck the woman, prompting Benton to stab Lindsey in the abdomen. Lindsey later died at a nearby hospital following surgery.
“The emotions could be felt from both Lindsey’s family and Benton’s family during the plea hearing,” Assistant District Attorney Haley Broom said.”
Lindsey’s family member expressed forgiveness for the perpetrator, with one member telling Benton, “Take heed and read your Bible. I don’t know you, but I am going to continue to love you.”
