In the early morning hours of February 11, 2022, the community of Hopkins, South Carolina, was disturbed by an act of violence that claimed the life of Marcus Tabius Outen. The 30-year-old man was discovered outside a residence on Turning Leaf Drive around 1 a.m. with gunshot wounds to his upper body. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and he was quickly transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department immediately launched an investigation into the shooting. For weeks, details surrounding the incident were limited as authorities worked to piece together the events that led to Outen's death. The Richland County Coroner's Office officially identified him as the victim, confirming the tragic loss for his family and friends. The community was left seeking answers as investigators appealed to the public for any information that could help identify who was responsible for the fatal shooting.
More than a month after the incident, a significant development occurred in the case. On March 23, 2022, 33-year-old William Santos turned himself in to investigators with the Richland County Sheriff's Department. Following his surrender, Santos was arrested and charged in connection with Outen's death. The charges brought against him included murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Authorities alleged that Santos approached Outen outside of his home and fired multiple shots, resulting in his death. Following his arrest, Santos was booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
