South Carolina Self-Defense Shooting-Pee Dee homeowner shoots, kills burglary suspect :: 08/22/2014

A burglary in Mechanicsville has left one suspect dead and several victims injured, according to Sheriff Wayne Byrd with the Darlington County Sheriff's Office.

Byrd said two men broke into the home and physically assaulted two women and struck an 11-year-old boy in the head with a gun.

He said the homeowner was in a back room asleep and woke up to all the commotion.

"He was at the back of the residence, came out fired several shots at the intruders, and they fled the scene. And upon our officers arriving, they found one of the suspects dead in a field about 75 yards from the house," said Sheriff Byrd.

Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee has identified the person who died as Marquis Benjamin, 25, of Darlington.

Hardee said Benjamin was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

Deputies arrested the second suspect, Brandon Lunn, hours after the early Friday morning burglary.

Lunn is charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Burglary First Degree, and three counts of Assault and Battery Second Degree.

Byrd said the homeowner isn't expected to be charged because he acted in self-defense.

"It's more a matter of defending yourself, defending your family. Providing for the protection of your own life and your own family's life. And their well-being."

This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=1086795#.U_pYQaOFFWF