Mont Clare, South Carolina

From South Carolina Now of September 26, 2007

Darlington County home invasion suspect shot to death

Deputies are investigating a series of home invasions that happened this morning, one of which led to the shooting death of a suspect, according to a press release from the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded the first call at a residence on Pan Road just north of Darlington about 1:45 a.m. They were told five black men dressed in black and armed with weapons were seen kicking in the front door of the residence. The suspects abruptly left in a vehicle, however.

The second call came in about 2 a.m. at a residence on Selena Drive, farther north of Darlington than the scene of the first call. A resident reported hearing several gunshots. He said he got up and checked, but didn’t see a vehicle. He did notice a bullet hole near the window of a back bedroom, though.

Moments later, a third call came in from a residence on London Fog Drive where an unknown number of suspects armed with weapons broke in and confronted several people inside. One of the people in the residents managed to escape into a bedroom and shut the door, but one of the suspects followed and kicked in the door.

Gunfire was exchanged between the two. The occupant was struck by a bullet, while the suspect suffered a shotgun blast to the chest. The intruders fled the residence, but the one who had been shot was found in the back yard. An EMS crew examined him and he was pronounced dead at the scene by Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee.

The dead man has been identified as 21-year-old Dewayne Antron Washington, Hardee said in a press release. He said Washington was shot while at a residence near Jeffords Mill Road near Mont Clare, a community north of Darlington.

From WPDE of October 1, 2007

No charges in home invasion

Police say they won't file charges against a Darlington County homeowner, who officers say shot and killed a man after that man invaded his home.

It happened at a home on London Fog Drive in Darlington County last week. Deputies say several men invaded the house.

Officers say gunshots were exchanged between the homeowner and one of the intruders. Deputies say both were wounded and the intruder, Dewayne Washington, died.

We're told the homeowner is recovering in the hospital.