Crime & Courts

SC homeowner fatally shot by trespasser he was holding at gunpoint

A South Carolina man who was holding a suspected trespasser at gunpoint was killed when the two exchanged gunfire.

Robert Steven McDowell, 63, died Wednesday from complications associated with a gunshot injury, the Oconee County Coroner told Fox Carolina.

Oconee County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to McDowell’s home in Walhalla around 3:30 a.m., to reports that a person was trespassing, WYFF reported. While deputies were on their way, they were told that McDowell and the suspect had exchanged gunfire.

A spokesman for the sheriff’s office told Fox Carolina that investigators believe McDowell was holding the suspect at gunpoint when he fired; McDowell returned fire, striking the man.

McDowell and the accused trespasser were rushed to the hospital, where McDowell died, WYFF reported. The condition of the trespasser remains unknown.

Cynthia Roldán: @CynthiaRoldan

This story was originally published February 14, 2018 at 1:38 PM with the headline "SC homeowner fatally shot by trespasser he was holding at gunpoint."

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