UPDATED: SC Serial Killer Blamed For 4 Deaths In 6 Days

***2:30 a.m. Update July 4***

People Gather To Pray Amid Killing Spree

Gaffney, SC—With a killer on the loose many people are relying on faith to find strength. More than 100 people gathered at Restoration Church in n Gaffney Friday night to pray for the victims and surprisingly enough, the suspect, and hopefully peace.

Some of the people in attendance admitted they were a little scared to leave their homes and even come to the church to pray, but they felt they were called to the church to do just that with the belief that a higher power will bring the senseless tragedies to an end.

“Father we come against fear,“ said Joey Turner, Pastor of Restoration Church.

The service brought many people in attendance to their knees.

“I have three daughters,“ said Mike Freyta. “And all three of them are scared.“

Scared and shaken, the family of faith is praying for peace and answers.

“We view it and I view it as more than attack on these families,“ Turner said. “It’s really an attack on these community. And I see it as a spiritual attack.“

In this congregation, some of the people are connected to the victims. “We lift up the Linder family and the Parker family,“ many of those in attendance praised.

“It takes sometimes a tragedy like this to hit close to home before we really get up and arm ourselves together,“ said Sonia Littlejohn, a church member.

But for now, until the violence ends, they are lifting their hands for the families who have lost.

“As devastating as it is, we believe the spirit can still be a strength to them,“ said Turner.

And as a picture reminds them, asking that the killer will turn himself in so that his soul will be saved. And they pray that a community can finally be at ease.

“We do want him caught,“ said Littlejohn. “We want justice.“

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***2:15 a.m. Update July 4***

New Sketch Of Suspected SC Serial Killer Released

Gaffney, SC—A new sketch of a suspected serial killer that has struck through the heart of the Cherokee County community has been revealed.

The sketch was released earlier tonight by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect is believed to be in his late 40’s and the sketch depicts the man with a beard and baseball hat.

It has been nearly one week since popular farmer Kline Cash was murdered inside his home in Cowpens and the new sketch released comes just two days after the murders of Gena Linder Parker, her mother, Hazel Linder, and last nights murder of Stephen Tyler in downtown Gaffney. Tyler’s 15-year old daughter was also critically injured in the murder.

If anyone recognizes the person in the sketch they are asked to contact Cherokee County Crimestoppers at 864-489-2746.

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GAFFNEY, S.C. (AP) - Authorities in South Carolina say they’re looking for a serial killer they believe has shot four people to death within 10 miles of each other over the past six days.

Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler says the latest victim was 48-year-old Stephen Tyler, who was shot to death at his furniture store in Gaffney around closing time Thursday. His 15-year-old daughter was shot and badly injured.

Sheriff Bill Blanton said Friday that authorities have evidence linking the latest killing to the shooting deaths of an 83-year-old mother and her daughter on Wednesday and a 63-year-old peach farmer on Saturday.

He wouldn’t detail how authorities made the link, but called the suspect a serial killer. Gaffney is about 50 miles west of Charlotte, N.C.

Full text of Cherokee County Coroner’s Office Statement below:

“Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler is investigating the death of the owner of a Gaffney business.  Fowler identified the deceased as 48 year old Stephen Hyland Tyler of 189 Farm Wind Road, Gaffney.  According to the coroner, Tyler was shot inside his business, Tyler Home Center, located at 612 East Frederick Street Thursday evening.  Fowler pronounced Tyler dead at the scene and has ordered an autopsy for later this morning in Newberry to assist with his investigation of the death which he said is being considered a homicide.  Tyler’s 15 year old daughter was also injured in the incident and is hospitalized at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Fowler said Mr. Tyler’s wife and older daughter, along with an employee, discovered the victims in the business unresponsive about 7:15 p.m. The latest incident is the 4th homicide in Cherokee County in the last 5 days.“

The following videos are from our sister station, WSPA-TV, in Spartanburg, SC:

People Gather To Pray Amid Killing Spree:

Teen Fighting For Life After Being Shot By Serial Killer:

Cherokee County Community Reacts to Serial Killer on the Loose:

Cherokee County Sheriff: “Yes We Have A Serial Killer”; Links Most Recent Murder

Cherokee County Serial Killer News Conference: Part 1

Cherokee County Serial Killer News Conference: Part 2

Cherokee County Serial Killer News Conference: Part 3