A person who authorities stated confessed to killing 5 folks and informed them he’d been excessive on methamphetamines for days has been arrested within the deadly shootings in South Carolina.
James Douglas Drayton, 24, was taken into custody Monday morning in Georgia after officers stated he stole a automotive, dedicated an armed theft and fled, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright informed reporters Tuesday.
Drayton is accused of homicide and different crimes within the deadly shootings at a home in Inman, 10 miles northwest of Spartanburg.
Drayton lived on the dwelling for 2 weeks, the sheriff’s workplace stated in an announcement. The 5 victims additionally lived on the home, the division stated.
Thomas Ellis Anderson, 37; Adam Daniel Morley, 32; Mark Allen Hewitt, 59; and Roman Christean Megael Rocha, 19, had been killed, the sheriff’s workplace stated.
NBC affiliate WYFF of Greenville recognized the fifth sufferer, James Derek Baldwin, 49, citing Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger.
Authorities responded to the home at 7:45 p.m. Sunday and located 4 folks fatally wounded, the sheriff’s workplace stated. A fifth individual taken was taken to a hospital and pronounced lifeless.
Wright stated authorities believed the shootings occurred about 9 a.m. Sunday.
The scene was “horrific,” he stated.
The coroner beforehand stated that 4 of the victims had been every present in a unique room.
Authorities say Drayton stole a automotive from the house and drove greater than 100 miles south, the place he’s accused of robbing a comfort retailer cashier at gunpoint in Hephzibah, Georgia, based on an incident report obtained by WYFF.
The automotive had been reported stolen, and deputies who noticed it early Monday pursued Drayton at speeds topping 80 mph, the station reported. Drayton allegedly wrecked and fled on foot however was caught shortly after, based on the station.
Investigators from Spartanburg County traveled to Georgia and interviewed Drayton, who confessed and stated that he was “listening to voices,” Wright stated.
“I don’t know what which means to him,” Wright stated. “I do know that he had been utilizing meth, and he had been up for like, 4 days. Somebody that hadn’t slept in 4 days — they’re most likely not pondering.”
It wasn’t clear when Drayton could be extradited to South Carolina. It additionally wasn’t clear if he has a lawyer to talk on his behalf.
