HARTSVILLE — A storeowner near Hartsville was attacked Monday night and fired two shots from a pistol at the fleeing suspect, Darlington County Chief Deputy Sheriff Tom Gainey said.
Walter Loraine Catoe, 37, of 622 Spruce St., Hartsville, was arrested Monday night on charges of assault and battery with intent to kill and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, Gainey said.
A man entered Wildman's Country Store at 722 E. Carolina Ave., which is owned and operated by Kelly Simpson, Monday evening while Simpson was watching television.
Simpson said he thought the man had walked to the back of the store. But as Simpson watched television, he said, the man began hitting him repeatedly in the head with a lug wrench or tire iron.
Simpson said he managed to get away from the man and reach for a .22-caliber pistol he kept in his pocket.
The man saw the pistol and fled the scene, Simpson said. Simpson fired two shots from the weapon at the man as he got into his vehicle and drove away. None of the bullets struck the suspect.
Gainey said deputies arrested Catoe about 8 p.m. Monday. He said Catoe’s vehicle also was recovered and will be searched for evidence.
A motive for the attack isn’t clear, Gainey said.
Simpson faces no criminal charges, Gainey said.
Catoe remains in custody at the Darlington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff's office at (843) 398-4501 of Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at (843) 667-TIPS (8477) or (866) 369-TIPS (8477). Callers need not reveal their identities.
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