Suspect, 21, takes his own life after two home invasions

JOHN BYRUM/john.byrum@shj.com

Buy photo A Spartanburg County Sheriff's officer carries a child to safety after a SWAT team entered a house to rescue him from a home invasion suspect on Dean Road on Sunday.

GREER - A 21-year-old man shot and killed himself on Sunday evening after authorities say he stole a car and invaded two homes in rural western Spartanburg County.

Related Links:Coroner's office identifies man in home invasions More Photos:Hostage Standoff Sheriff Chuck Wright said when members of the SWAT team entered the 660 Dean Road residence about 8:30 p.m. they discovered the man's body in a bedroom and recovered an unhurt 3-year-old boy who was watching television in another room. Deputies did not want to release the name of the man until his family had been notified.

"This is just a tragedy," Wright said. "You feel sorry for the family. I hate that it turned out this way."

Wright said investigators believe the man shot himself shortly after officers arrived at the mobile home.

"We heard a shot, and it came through the wall," Wright said. "We were unable to make contact with him."

Maj. Dan Johnson said the man entered an Air Park Drive residence about 4:15 p.m. and took wallets and jewelry.

Wright said the man also took a Ford Taurus, which was found in a ditch on Rockridge Drive with its headlights on. He added that several people at the Air Park Drive residence were shaken up, but none were hurt.

"That situation turned pretty serious," Wright said.

The investigation of the first invasion led officers to Dean Road about 6 p.m. Officers questioned one man and two women who had three young children with them at a safe distance from the mobile home. Investigators believe one woman was the girlfriend of the suspect.

Wright said a preliminary investigation didn't reveal a motive for either invasion or any involvement on the part of the other man and two women.

A deputy told members of the media "it's over" at 8:42 p.m.

Shortly after that, an officer carried the 3-year-old up the street to his mother, and the other woman began sobbing.

Wright said the 3-year-old boy told officers he saw nothing, but victim's assistance will be provided.

At least 25 officers with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and about five members of the Highway Patrol helped end the four-hour event.