AIKEN --- A fourth man has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a 39-year-old Aiken man in his home Monday morning, according to the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.
Ronald J. Grooms Jr., 22, of Irmo, S.C., was in the Aiken County jail on charges of first-degree burglary, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, armed robbery and murder.
Accompanied by his attorney, Mr. Grooms surrendered Thursday morning to a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agent. He was held in Richland County until this afternoon, when Aiken County investigators brought him back to Aiken County. He is the fourth person to be arrested in Frederick L. Tucker's death.
Melvin L. Cummings, 26, of Columbia; Antonio G. Miller, 30, of Columbia; and Marquise C. Redfield, 34, of Aiken, were arrested Monday night by Richland County sheriff's deputies at Mr. Miller's residence.
They are in Richland County jail and are waiting to be transferred to Aiken County, where each will be charged with firstdegree burglary, possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder.
Lt. Michael Frank said the investigation has determined that one of the men was related to Mr. Tucker, but he would not identify him. About 10:31 a.m. on Monday, a neighbor called 911 after finding Mr. Tucker lying face down inside the front door of his home at 117 Old Barnwell Road.
An Aiken County investigation found that someone had kicked in the back door, robbed and then shot the victim. An autopsy determined Mr. Tucker was beaten and died of a gunshot to the chest, according to a statement from the Aiken County Coroner's Office.
Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com
Comments
Why don't someone just say this was all about drugs? Aiken county launched a massive search for a ex convict turned "snitch". What did these thugs rob from him? They took what was to lead more drug dealers in a trap to convict them. My prayers to the family but lets remember drugs are destroying families every day.
"Lt. Michael Frank said the investigation has determined that one of the men was related to Mr. Tucker, but he would not identify him."...Thats what I'm tal'kin about, he's my cousin..Kill him !!!!....... ahhhhh the law of the jungle...gotta love it !!
By process of elimination the finger guy must be hmmmm ... Marquise C. Redfield, 34, of Aiken. Yeah he da' one.
If this is the Fred Turker I am thinking of .and with the address given,I am pretty sure it was. He was known for the past 20 years as being a drug dealer. Sold suckers in high school
I just don't recall Aiken county going all out with massive manhunts, helicopters, several agencies involved for a drug dealer. If I was paying my taxes there I would just have to know what this was costing me. Just how much did they have this guy holding for them to have to recover it so darn bad. I bet you one thing, if the average drug dealer in that county had a home invasion robbery, kidnapping and murder, that would have been the term as it is in any other state, the only report and I mean one, would have been it was drug related. We hear it all the time "drug deal gone bad' but not when its one of the home teams members.
4 All U Haters, Fred was not a drug dealer anymore. He served his time. People change and make turn arounds in life everyday. Let's not stand in judement because there is ONLY ONE THAT'S PERFECT and we all must stand b4 him one day!!!
What does it matter whether or not the victim had a history for any illicit activity? The fact remains that 4 people decided to end the victim's life and they had no right to do so. How do any of you know that drugs were involved at all? Perhaps these felons were seeking money they thought the victim had in his home. What you are doing is convicting the victim with your speculations. Hope none of you are selected for the jury; you will probably acquit the 4 perpetrators in this case.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT mable8, Thank You!!!
any of you ever think about going to school and learning proper grammar? maybe....hmm....i think not
it is so annoying to read improper english....you are from america learn how to speak properly
Look at the screen, you can't write either! LOL
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