23-05-2025
Lancaster man accused of killing business owner after family argument leads to ‘violent rampage': Sheriff
LANCASTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A man was and charged with murder following what authorities are calling an hours-long 'violent rampage' that included the shooting death of a Lancaster business owner.
According to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded just before 6 p.m. May 21 to a home on Memorial Park Road. The suspect, 52-year-old Roger Ledell Baskins had been temporality living there with family members.
NC man killed attempting to cross road at busy Rock Hill intersection
Deputies say an argument occurred between Baskins and family members, and Baskins reportedly pulled out a pistol, threatening a family member with it before firing several shots into another family member's car.
According to the sheriff's office, he then used a car battery to smash windows out of the car he shot and a car belonging to a third family member. No one was injured during this incident.
Baskins left the scene on foot, and officers with the Lancaster Police Department found him in a yard on North Willow Lake Road, where he was captured after a chase. Witnesses reported that he drove to that location in a 1997 Toyota 4-Runner, which was also on scene. Officers determined the vehicle is owned by a 65-year-old from Rock Hill.
Officers with the Rock Hill Police Department contacted the man's wife, who told them he operates a business on Memorial Park Road, near where the family disturbance occurred. Sheriff's deputies checked the business and reportedly found the man, later identified as Charles Wilburn Presler, dead from an apparent gunshot wound. He also appeared to be robbed.
When Baskins was detained, deputies say he was in possession of documents belonging to the victim, and a pistol was reportedly found in the 4-Runner.
Investigators with the Lancaster County Multijurisdictional Violent Crime Task Force and sheriff's office crime scene investigators along with the coroner were summoned.
Baskins was arrested and transported to the Lancaster County Detention Center. In connection with the homicide, Baskins is charged with:
Armed robbery
Second-degree burglary
Grand Larceny ($2,000 – $10,000)
Three counts of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime
Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Convicted of Certain Crimes.
In connection with the domestic disturbance, Baskins is charged with:
Pointing and Presenting a Firearm (two counts)
Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature
Malicious Injury to Personal Property valued at $2,000-$10,000
Malicious Injury to Personal Property valued under $2,000.
Bond was denied by a magistrate Thursday afternoon.
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