MUDSHARK ARRESTED
Police Chief Rick Ollic told reporters Wednesday afternoon their investigation revealed a man the Berkeley County Coroner identified as Elijah A. White, Jr., 30, forced his way into a home on Post Oak Court off Highway 52. White was armed with a handgun and wearing a mask and gloves, he said.
"We also retrieved from him rope, which I believe he was going to tie up the victims if he got into the residence, so there was no doubt he was there to do some serious harm to this family," Ollic said.
The homeowner fired his gun when White burst into the home, fatally striking him, Ollic said.
Police also arrested a woman they say went to the door posing as a representative of a homeowner's association and was wearing a fake badge that read, "HOA."
Juanita Marie English is charged with first-degree burglary and criminal conspiracy, Ollic said. She was in bond court Wednesday night where she received a $125,000 bond.
Ollic was also present during the bond court hearing and told the judge that he believes English is a "threat to society."
"[The victims] are absolutely traumatized," Ollic told the judge."The female victim, it's unbelievable what she went through last night."
In addition, Ollic said the victim's two young children witnessed the home invasion and shooting.
Police say English spoke to the resident about the neighborhood, then signaled to White, who ran to the door and forced his way in.
The victim told police he was holding a handgun with a laser pointer.
As she tried to close the door, White kicked in the door, breaking the door frame and knocking the locking device off and forced his way inside, Ollic said.
According to court records, the victim's husband then came downstairs armed with a gun and shot White who was found dead in the front yard.
"The homeowner at that location, protecting his family, returned fire at the subject, and killed him as a result of the incident," Ollic said.
Berkeley County Coroner Bill Salisbury said an autopsy on White is still underway, but confirmed he was struck four times.