Fairfield County, SC: Deputies: Murder Suspect Shoots at Officers, is Taken Into Custody

Tony Santaella James Gilbert Created: 9/22/2010 3:01:01 PM Updated: 9/22/2010 3:47:39 PM

Fairfield County, SC (WLTX) - Fairfield County deputies have arrested a man wanted in Richland County on charges he shot and killed his estranged wife.

Officers took 37-year-old Charlie Cason into custody after a violent exchange.

Richland County deputies say Cason killed his estranged wife, 38-year-old Letitia Cason, at an apartment on Smallwood Road in Northeast Richland County. That's located in an area near Interstate 20 and Percival Road.

Officers say they tracked Charlie Cason to Weeping Mary Baptist Church just off Highway 321 in Fairfield County. According to deputies, Cason has a personal connection to the church. When officers arrived, they say Charlie Cason fired shots at them, then ran into the woods.

He eventually was taken into custody. Richland County deputies say he had on him the gun they believe was used in the killing.

Deputies say he was dropped off at the church by someone else.

Richland County deputies say Charlie Cason burglarized Letitia Cason's apartment because they believe he was trying to harm her. The woman left her apartment and headed to an adjacent one for safety.

Officers say Charlie Cason forced entry into the home and fired several shots into the building, hitting his wife in the upper body.

The victim was taken to the hospital where she later died.

Investigators say Cason left the scene in the car of the victim's son.