Advertisement Car owner fatally shoots 15-year-old he says tried to steal vehicle from driveway, sheriff says Second suspect now in custody, sheriff says Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A car owner shot at two teenagers, killing one, after they tried to steal his vehicle Tuesday night, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said.Wright said the shooting happened just before 11 p.m. on James Raymond Court in Wellford, near Martin Lane and John Dodd Road.Wright said the homeowner called 911 to report the shooting.The sheriff said one suspect was hit and killed, and deputies searched into early Wednesday morning for the other young man who ran from the scene.By Wednesday afternoon, they had the second suspect, a 13-year-old boy, in custody."I just really want you to really commit yourself to praying for both sides," Wright said. "Both of them are going through a hard time. This is awful."Coroner Rusty Clevenger identified the teen who died as 15-year-old Deondre Larise Brannon of Spartanburg.Sandra Williams, spokesperson for Spartanburg County District 1 Schools, told WYFF News 4 that Brannon was not currently a student at a District 1 school but had been previously. She also said administrators have been in communication with the deceased teen's family. Williams said the district is respecting the privacy of his loved ones."Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families involved," Williams said.Wright said someone stole another car from the owner earlier in the day on Tuesday, and investigators think they came back and tried to get the other car.Stanley Byard, a neighbor, said the spare keys to the second vehicle were kept in the first car that was stolen."Someone losing their life for that (is) not worth it," Byard said. "You always want another day, and, of all people, this young man lost his life."The sheriff wasn't sure how the owner knew the young people were outside or if there was a confrontation or a threat, but he said a handgun was found at the scene that is believed to be owned by one of the suspects."I'm sorry that the homeowner had to do this. We will seek the advice of the solicitor's office, put all the evidence together and find out exactly what has to be done," Wright said. "I've always been a big proponent of carrying a weapon with you if you want, but it's a big responsibility to carry one. You need to know where you need to do what with it."The sheriff said he doesn't know if the owner had a concealed weapons permit because he is legally allowed to have a gun in his own home with or without one.The homes along the James Raymond Court are rental properties. Byard said neighbors are waiting on the property managers to fix the only street light in the cul de sac."The lighting over here is horrible. It's pitch black," Byard told WYFF. "That provides an opportunity for this neighborhood to become a target of crime."