In the early morning hours of a Wednesday in Aiken County, South Carolina, a violent encounter cut short the life of 36-year-old Charlie Gene Wenner. On April 24, 2019, Wenner, a resident of New Ellenton, was found in a driveway on Valley Drive with a fatal gunshot wound to his chest. The Aiken County Coroner's Office later confirmed his identity.
According to a witness who was with Wenner, they had driven to the residence where they were met by Arnold Patrick Reeves, who was 50 years
old at the time. An altercation ensued, during which Reeves allegedly shot Wenner in the chest with a shotgun. Following the shooting, Reeves reportedly attempted to force the female witness to drive him away from the scene at gunpoint. A struggle for the shotgun followed, resulting in the woman being shot in the hand. Reeves then fled the location on foot.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office launched a search for Reeves and sought public assistance in locating him. He was described as a white male, approximately 5-foot-11 and weighing 205 pounds, last seen wearing all black clothing. Authorities quickly secured warrants for his arrest on multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Court records indicated that Reeves had a criminal history that included convictions for grand larceny, drug charges, and burglary.
