Washington, June 4 (IANS) A white man has been arrested after an African American was shot dead and his body was dragged behind a pickup truck for nearly 10 miles (16 km) in South Carolina.
The police have charged Gregory Collins, 19, with the murder of Anthony Hill, CBS News affiliate WLTX reported.
Hill and Collins worked in the same chicken processing plant in Newberry County. They had spent most of Tuesday together and were at Collins’ house when Hill was shot, said investigators.
Sheriff Lee Foster said that Collins then attached a nylon rope to Hill’s neck and dragged the victim until the rope snapped after several miles.
State Law Enforcement Division Director Reggie Lloyd said: ‘We don’t yet have a definitive motive. But out of precaution, given the circumstances, we are investigating the racial angle.’
Hill’s body was found on a US highway by a motorist early Wednesday. Officials then followed a trail of blood that stretched for several miles and over several roads from the crime scene to Collins’ trailer.
The 19-year-old refused to come out, leading to a three-hour standoff. He surrendered after officials decided to force him out using tear gas. He was unarmed but wore an empty gun holster.
The coroner said Hill died from a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators were trying to find out why Collins dragged the body.
