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Forest Acres Police arrest suspect in city's first killing in seven years

Brandon Van Dyke was 30 years old when he was gunned down at an apartment complex in Forest Acres, SC.

FOREST ACRES, S.C. — Forest Acres Police have arrested the suspect who they say killed a 30-year-old man in the city earlier this month, the first homicide there in nearly seven years. 

With the help of leads from the community, officers arrested 19-year-old Tyrik Hamadii Edgerton of Lexington on February 8 at The Landings at Forest Acres Apartments. Edgerton was found living in a unit with a family member, according to officers.

He's now charged with murder in the death of Brandon Van Dyke of Columbia. Deputies believe that the motive behind Van Dyke's death was a robbery.

Edgerton is currently being held in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing. 

"We are doing everything we can to continue to bring closure to the Van Dyke family," Chief Don Robinson said. "We want the citizens of  Forest Acres to know their community is safer today with Edgerton's arrest."

It was around 5:40 p.m. on February 2 when Forest Acres police said they received a call about a shooting that took place at The Landings at Forest Acres Apartments.

The victim--who was later identified as Van Dyke--suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

RELATED: Man critically injured in Forest Acres shooting, suspect search underway

It was then announced on Feb. 3 that Van Dyke died of his injuries. This death was the first homicide that the city had seen since the murder of Forest Acres Officer Greg Alia on September 30, 2015.  

The police department spoke to witnesses and collected evidence while using its K-9 unit to help track down the shooter. No arrests have been made or announced by the agency yet.

Chief Don Robinson requested the assistance of the Richland County Sheriff's office in the homicide investigation.  

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RELATED: Victim in Forest Acres shooting dies, killing is first in city since 2015

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