ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities say a man was seriously injured after being beaten with a hammer and baseball bat in Orangeburg County after being lured to a rural area.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office said it had arrested 36-year-old Leroy Bannister III, accusing him of being one of two people who, on March 16, tricked a victim into driving to Candlewood Road near Bowman to kill him and take his SUV.
Warrants allege that once the victim arrived at the location, Bannister and the unidentified co-defendant beat the person with a hammer and baseball bat. The warrant alleges that the two suspects then made comments about hiding the victim's body in the woods.
However, an incident report states that the victim was able to walk up to a nearby home. The report says a resident contacted the sheriff's office and tried to help the victim until medical staff arrived. Deputies found a baseball bat with blood on it nearby and collected it as evidence.
Authorities later arrested Bannister and charged him with attempted murder. Reports suggest the second suspect has not been identified.
