Rock Hill man charged in fatal shooting

Gunfire followed argument outside convenience store

By Toya Graham - Toya Graham

Two Rock Hill men argued Friday morning near a Heckle Boulevard convenience store before one of them fired a high-powered rifle, fatally wounding the other, police said.

William Henry Westbrook, 65, of 631 S. Confederate Ave. died in the shooting, said Rock Hill police Lt. Larry Vaughan.

Deloyd Hardy, 70, of 427 Lige St. was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, Vaughan said.

The shooting happened after an argument around 7:25 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of Nick's Mart at 684 Heckle Blvd. The two men apparently knew each other.

"Somebody broke it up," Vaughan said, referring to the argument. "Several minutes later, there was a confrontation between the two, at which time the suspect pulled out a high-powered rifle and shot the victim."

Westbrook was shot in the upper chest area and was taken by ambulance to Piedmont Medical Center, where he died, Vaughan said.

Authorities recovered the rifle used in the shooting and a shell casing.

At the scene of the shooting, two vehicles, including a rust-colored pickup truck, were roped off with yellow crime tape as was the area around Nick's Mart. That store was flanked by cars from the police department and York County Sheriff's Office.

Hardy did not have a criminal history, according to the State Law Enforcement Division. There were no prior reports of violence between Hardy and Westbrook, Vaughan said.

If convicted on the murder charge, Hardy could face up to life in prison.