A storeowner near Hartsville was attacked Monday night and fired two shots from a pistol at the fleeing suspect, according to Darlington County Chief Deputy Tom Gainey.
Walter Loraine Catoe, 37, of 622 Spruce St., Hartsville, was arrested Monday night for assault and battery with intent to kill and possession of a weapon during a violent crime by sheriff’s deputies, Gainey said.
A man entered Wildman’s Country Store, 722 E. Carolina Ave., Hartsville, 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. However, as Simpson watched television, he said the man began hitting him with a lug wrench or tire iron repeatedly in the head. Simpson said he needed 14 stitches in his head.
Simpson said he managed to get away from the man and reach for a .22 caliber pistol he kept in his pocket. Catoe saw the pistol and fled the scene, according to Simpson.
Simpson fired two shots from the weapon at the man as he entered his vehicle and drove away.
Gainey said deputies arrested Catoe around 8 p.m. Monday night, and he was in custody at the Darlington County Detention Center as of press time Tuesday. Gainey said the man’s vehicle was also recovered and will be searched for evidence.
The area is not in Hartsville city limits; therefore, the sheriff’s office is currently investigating the crime, Gainey said, and motive for the attack is unknown. Also, no charges were filed against Simpson.
Anyone with information about the crime should call the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office at 398-4501.
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