SC deputy fired after drunk driving arrest, now accused of killing a lieutenant

A former sheriff's deputy, who was fired after a DUI arrest, is now accused of killing a police lieutenant in South Carolina.

Around 3:15 p.m. July 23, York County Sheriff's deputies were called to the Anderson Apartment Building, where they reportedly found Larry Vaughn dead at approximately 3:15 P.M. on July 23. Vaughan was a retired lieutenant with the Rock Hill, South Carolina, Police Department.

Detectives arrested Evan Robert Hawthorne, 27, of Chester, South Carolina, in connection to the killing, according to the York County Sheriff's office. His arrest came within four hours of deputies finding Vaughn's body in the home.

Police have not released how Vaughn was killed or what led Hawthorne to allegedly kill the retired cop.

Hawthorne was a former Chester County deputy who was reportedly fired after he was charged with DUI in 2019, Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey told The Rock Hill Herald.

Rock Hill police would typically handle a death investigation inside the city. However, the sheriff’s office was asked by Rock Hill police to handle the investigation because of Vaughan’s ties to the police department, according to the Herald.

“Our hearts break for our friends and colleagues at the Rock Hill Police Department and our entire law enforcement community,” Sheriff Kevin Tolson said in a statement.

“I’m thankful for the diligent and the expedient work of our Detectives during such a difficult case regarding an individual they know personally.”