Suspect in shotgun slaying sought by SC deputies
Deputies in Aiken County are searching for a man they say fatally shot another man with a shotgun and injured a woman who refused to drive him away from the crime scene.
The deadly shooting happened around 1:20 a.m. Wednesday on the 100 block of Valley Drive, which is just off Whiskey Road between Aiken and New Ellenton, according to a release from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.
When deputies arrived, they found a man in the driveway with an apparent gunshot wound to his chest, the release states. Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables identified the victim as 36-year-old Charlie G. Wenner, of New Ellenton.
A witness told deputies she and the victim drove to the home on Valley Drive, where the suspect, identified as 50-year-old Arnold Patrick Reeves, shot the victim in the chest with a shotgun.
Reeves then tried to force the woman at gunpoint to drive him away, but a struggle over the shotgun followed, deputies said. The female victim was shot in the hand, and Reeves ran away.
Reeves was not located during a search of the area around the home, and deputies need help finding him. He is described as a white male, about 5-foot-11 and weighing 205 pounds. He was last seen wearing all black clothing at the time of the shooting.
Authorities have obtained warrants for Reeves for murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. There was no word Wednesday morning on what prompted the armed robbery charge.
Reeves has prior convictions for grand larceny, drug charges and burglary, Aiken County online court records show. He pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine in February, but his five-year prison sentence was suspended to time served and probation.
Anyone with information on Reeves’ whereabouts is asked to call the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at 803-648-6811 or Crimestoppers at 888-CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
This story was originally published April 24, 2019 at 9:51 AM.