12/6/07
Murder
Man arrested in shooting woman, ex-girlfriend
By Jerriod Grizzle

A Rimini man is now in custody after alledgedly fatally shooting his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend and her mother in Summerton, Nov. 29.

Charles Junious 24, of Wausaw St., was arrested for attacking and shooting Teresa Johnson, 19, and her mother, Barbara Johnson, 49, inside their house on Clifton Road.

Chief Deputy Joe Bradham said that around 12 a.m. on Nov. 29, Teresa Johnson called the Clarendon County emergency number.

“Teresa called 911 and stated that her ex-boyfriend was outside her window and would not leave,” Bradham said. “Some seconds later she screamed and said that he was at the front door and then inside the house. Teresa told dispatchers that her ex-boyfriend had a gun and told dispatcher his name. Barbara could be heard arguing with Junious in the background of the 911 call.”

Investigators and deputies, along with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division tracking teams and forensic units were dispatched to the scene.

Junious was later arrested at the home of a friend with the murder weapon, a .38 caliber, and admitted his involvement in the double murder, according to reports.

“From what we know, we think it has something to do with a domestic dispute or breakup,” said Bradham.

Both bodies were transported to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston early Thursday morning for an autopsy.

Clarendon County Coroner Hayes Samuels received the preliminary report early Thursday night.

“Barbara’s cause of death was due to gunshot wounds to her head and neck,” Samuels said. “Teresa’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the back of the head.”

The charges against Junious could carry the death sentence according to Bradham.

“We are working with the Solicitor’s Office and it will be up to his office to see if the death penalty will be sought,” he said.

Junious has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of burglary and one charge of possession of a weapon for a violent crime.

Junious was arraigned without bond last Friday.

The Sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the murder in light of other information.

If anyone has any other information they should call 911 or contact Lt. Thomas Burgess with the Sheriff’s office at 435-4414.