Sumter man arrested, charged in fatal shooting

SUMTER COUNTY (WACH) — A Sumter County man is facing murder and weapon charges after a man was shot and killed.

According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, James Edward Barnes, 40, of Sumter was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

LOCAL FIRST |'You make me want to strangle you:' SC teacher charged in alleged student assault

On August 19, the SCSO responded to a residence on Antelope Drive.

Dispatch had received a call that a man was in the residence unresponsive. The caller reported that he suspected a drug overdose.

Upon arrival, the unresponsive man was identified as Richard Preusser.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office, it was noticed that the victim had a gunshot wound to his upper right chest.

According to officials, there were two additional people in the home, who were identified as roommates with the victim.

One of these people gave a fake name during questioning and was quickly identified as Jason Edward Barnes.

Barnes fled the scene.

He continued to evade law enforcement and was located on Aug. 20.

During questioning, Barnes gave several inconsistent stories and quickly became a suspect.

The autopsy revealed that Preusser died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

A weapon has been recovered that is believed to be the murder weapon.

On August 29, a warrant was obtained and served to Barnes for murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Barnes is currently in the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.

Sheriff Dennis believes that this was an isolated incident.