UPDATED: Graniteville Man Arrested for Warrenville Homicide

***11:50 a.m. Update November 23***

Graniteville Man Arrested for Warrenville Homicide

Aiken, S.C., November 21, 2009—According to Sgt. Dave Myers, Friday evening, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Investigators arrested a Graniteville man for the homicide of a Warrenville man, whose body was discovered early Friday morning.

Pete Joel Williams, 32, of the 100 block of Williams Street, in Graniteville, South Carolina is charged with Murder, Burglary 1st, and Armed Robbery.

Friday, Nov. 20th, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the body of John Barrs was discovered by his caretaker at his Warrenville, S.C. address. Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Investigators deemed the incident, a homicide investigation. As a result of a quick response and follow up to the incident, ACSO Investigators were able to make an arrest in connection with the death of Mr. Barrs.

Sheriff Michael Hunt stated, ”Due to our Investigators persistence and hard work with this incident, the Sheriffs Office was able to make an arrest concerning a violent act, and give citizens in this community some peace of mind”. 

Pete Joel Williams is now being held in the Aiken County Detention Center.

————————————

Warrenville, SC—For Russell Johnson, this house carries plenty of childhood memories.

Russell Johnson, Warrenville, SC: “This is where I learned how to ride a bicycle.”

But, the place that used to bring joy and happiness is now a crime scene.

Johnson: “I really don’t know what to think. ‘Cause I don’t know.”

Johnson is puzzled because his cousin, 68-year-old John Barrs, was found dead here, Friday morning. Barrs’ caretaker found the body. According to the Aiken County Coroner, Tim Carlton, Barrs died after someone hit him in the head with an unknown weapon. Johnson and Barrs grew up in this home.

Johnson: “We used to play around here when we were small ‘cause my great grandmother used to live here and we used to all meet and play here in the yard.”

Johnson says Barrs was a peaceful man and he can’t imagine who would kill him. We talked to a neighbor, who tells us she noticed suspicious activity at Barrs’ home, a few weeks ago.

Veronda Turner, Warrenville, SC: “And, I heard some rustling on the other side of the fence over next door and I knew it was someone walking through. And, I didn’t know nobody was there until they got further down here where the light was. But, I could tell it was a person. They had on dark clothes and a dark hood on.“

Investigators spent the day searching for clues. Johnson says he just wants to know who took his cousins life and why.

SLED is investigating the death, along with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.