Deputies arrest one, seek another

Dorchester County Sheriff's deputies have arrested one man and are looking for another in connection with a week-old slaying in the Stratton Capers neighborhood.

Deputies this weekend charged Xavier Terrel Walker, 23, of Starlett Road in North Charleston with murder in the Aug. 29 death of Herman Ward.

They're still searching for Roger Dewayne Rutledge, 28, of Stratton Drive in North Charleston. Rutledge, who also is known as "Bongo," also faces a murder charge, said 1st Sgt. Michael Miller of the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say they responded to 38 Stratton Drive around 5:30 a.m. Aug. 29 and found the 24-year-old Ward lying in the road, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. He was flown to Medical University Hospital and remained in critical condition until he died late Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies arrested Walker late Friday without incident, Miller said.

They're asking for the public's help finding Rutledge. Miller said Rutledge should be considered armed and dangerous.

Authorities ask that anyone with information about Rutledge's whereabouts contact them at 873-5111 or call Crime Stoppers at 554-1111. The fatal shooting was the second time since 2006 that deputies found a young man shot and bleeding on the road in the Stratton Capers neighborhood off Ashley Phosphate Road.

Authorities said the shooting was almost identical to a 2006 homicide that remains unsolved. In that shooting, 18-year-old Andre Tyrone Williams was killed in front of 38 Stratton Drive.

Reach Andy Paras at 745-5891 or aparas@ postandcourier.com.