In the quiet town of Summerton, South Carolina, the morning of Sunday, April 13, 2025, was shattered by a grim discovery. The body of 32-year-old John Edward Rhames III, a male resident of Summerton, was found lying in a ditch near the intersection of Washington and Louis Streets. Authorities were alerted to the scene at approximately 7:42 a.m., where they found that Rhames had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the back of the head.
The Clarendon County Sheriff's Office, along with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division immediately launched a homicide investigation into his death.
As investigators began to piece together the events leading to Rhames's death, a person of interest emerged. Authorities identified 42-year-old Ricardo L. McFadden, another Summerton resident also known by the alias 'Trick,' as someone they wanted to question in connection with the case. The Clarendon County Sheriff's Office publicly announced their search for McFadden, seeking information from the community regarding his whereabouts.
The investigation progressed, and within days, authorities located and arrested McFadden. He was subsequently charged with the murder of John Rhames and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Following his arrest, McFadden was transported to the Clarendon County Detention Center. The investigation into the death of John Rhames was described as ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to seek any additional information from the public.
