A suspect has been arrested in Oconee Counties first homicide investigation of 2020.
37 year old Brian James Schwenk was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center shortly after 4am Sunday charged with the murder of James Richard Carlson.
Deputies were dispatched to Schwenk's home on Little Choestoea Road around 10pm Saturday night in regards to a shooting.
Once on scene, Deputies and Paramedics found Carlson, the victim, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Medical aid was rendered, but sadly, he passed away on scene. Schwenk was detained on the property.
The Oconee County Sheriff's Office continues their investigation.
Schwenk has also been charged with possession of a weapon during the commission of violent crime.
Press Release from the OCSO below:(Walhalla, SC)---The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has formally charged a Westminster man with Murder as a result of a homicide investigation from overnight.
37 year old Brian James Schwenk of 246 Little Choesteoa Road was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 4:03am this morning on a Temporary Custody Order until arrest warrants were obtained today. Besides Murder, Schwenk has also been charged with Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime.
Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Division were dispatched to the Little Choesteoa Road address in the southern part of Oconee County, near the South Union community, just after 10pm Saturday in regards to reports of a shooting.
Deputies and paramedics rendered medical aid to the victim, identified by Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis as James Richard Carlson. However, the victim died on scene.
A white male, identified as Schwenk, was detained at the scene.
Deputies observed the victim to have a gunshot wound to the head.
The scene was turned over to the Criminal Investigations Division and the Crime Scene unit as evidence was gathered from the scene.
Schwenk was transported from the incident scene and was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.
The incident last night [Saturday] is the first homicide investigated by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office so far in 2020.
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