Tonya Maxwell

tmaxwell@citizen-times.com

A Greenville woman is dead and an Easley man is in critical condition following a Wednesday morning shooting along Interstate 85, according to officials with the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.

The woman, Mary Marie Fowler, 43, died Wednesday evening at AmMed Health in Anderson, and the man, James Jerry Dobson II, 44, of 102 Darleen Avenue in Easley, was in critical condition.

The pair was discovered at about 6:15 a.m. between mile markers 16 and 17 in the southbound shoulder of the interstate.

Investigators found no vehicle or weapon at the scene, said Lt. Sheila Cole, spokeswoman for the department.

Deputies Wednesday night described a vehicle of interest in connection with the shootings, a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, light-colored or possibly off-white. It bears South Carolina tags KQI543.

Medical officials earlier said one victim had been shot in the neck and the other was shot in the head. Both were taken by ambulance to the hospital after they were discovered by a passing motorist.

Sheriff's officials said Fowler lived on 5 Finley Street in Greenville, but a neighbor there said she had recently moved and the home was not occupied.

According to a sheriff's statement, no motive has been established for the shooting and investigators believe the victims were shot at the location where they were found.

Investigators found no vehicle or weapon at the scene, said Lt. Sheila Cole, spokeswoman for the department.

At Dobson's home, where he lives with his parents, James Dobson said his son was on a respirator and sedated when he visited him at the hospital. He had a gunshot wound to the neck, the family said.

The older Dobson said he bought his son a new car last year, and the vehicle is missing. He also said he didn't know Fowler and was not aware of any relationship his son had with her.

His father said his son is an electrician by trade, though he is not working now. He said he last saw his son on Monday.

"We're praying for him," James Dobson said. "He needs all the prayers he can get."