Police Were Called To A Possible Overdose, And Quickly Released The Victim Had Been Shot Dead

A man is accused of shooting and killing his roommate, but police have not said why.

Last week, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina announced it arrested James Edward Barnes, 40.

On Aug. 19, deputies responded to a home for a report of a man unresponsive in the home. The caller said it was a suspected overdose, according to the sheriff’s office.

Police arrived and found the man, Richard Preusser, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers also noticed the victim had a gunshot wound to his chest.

Two other men were in the home and identified as roommates, according to the sheriff’s office. One of the men gave a name that later turned out to be false. That person was identified as Barnes.

Barnes left the area and was found the next day. He gave several stories and became a suscept, according to investigators.

He was later arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. No motive has been released in the case.