Sunday, April 01, 2007

Just Give Them What They Want...

COLUMBIA, S.C. — "A 24-year-old Greenville man shot a store clerk then killed a woman in Newberry County so he could get a car to see his brother who plays football for South Carolina, authorities said.

Demetrius M. Pepper was arrested Saturday morning outside of Williams-Brice Stadium, where the Gamecocks were playing a scrimmage open to the public, Newberry County deputies said. His brother is Nathan Pepper, a rising junior defensive lineman.

Demetrius Pepper stole his first car after shooting its owner at a Greenville convenience store around 7:45 a.m. Saturday, deputies said.

The car broke down on Interstate 26 in Newberry County, so Pepper came to the home of 60-year-old Ellie Halfacre, about a half-mile from the highway, looking for another vehicle, Sheriff Lee Foster said.

Pepper rang the doorbell and forced his way in after Halfacre answered, shooting and killing her before taking another vehicle and some items from the home, Foster said.

Halfacre was a retired school teacher active in her church, Foster said.

"There were two cars in the yard that had keys in them. All he had to do was take the car. He didn't have to go in and kill her over a car. It's just senseless," Foster said..."

Pity poor Miss Halfacre. She opened the door for a stranger and the last thing he had to do was kill her but he did.

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