In the winter of 2014, the community of Gaston, South Carolina, was unsettled by the violent death of 38-year-old Charles Tremone Brown. On December 13th, Brown was fatally shot, sparking a lengthy and complex investigation by local law enforcement. For years, the case remained a painful open wound for his family and friends as authorities pursued various leads in their quest for justice.
The investigation, led by the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, stretched on for more than two years.
During that time, the primary suspect was believed to have fled the state, adding another layer of difficulty to the case. However, persistent police work eventually paid off. On April 25, 2017, a significant breakthrough occurred when 44-year-old Derrick Mills was apprehended by deputies at a residence near Eastover.
The arrest of Mills was a collaborative effort, involving the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force and the Richland County Sheriff's Office, who assisted the Calhoun County investigators. Following his capture, Mills was taken into custody and held at the Orangeburg County/Calhoun Detention Center, where he awaited a bond hearing before a Circuit Court Judge. His arrest marked a pivotal moment in the long journey towards closure for those who mourned the loss of Charles Brown.
