Authorities still on lookout for shooting suspect 11/25/2009 12:37 AM By KAREN DAILY Staff writer
Local police are still searching for the gunman who opened fire outside a North Augusta house late Monday, killing an Aiken man and then escaping before police arrived, according to officials.
Paul J. Lirley, 35, of Aiken, died from a gunshot wound to his chest, said Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton.
Deputies have not identified the shooter.
Lirley was shot near 1134 Weston St. in North Augusta about 7 p.m. Witnesses told deputies they heard about five shots fired and called police, but when they arrived, Lirley was dead.
Although officials with the coroner's office said they believe the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone bad, one woman who claims to be a family friend said she knows the family well and does not believe Lirley had recently been involved with drugs.
He had been in trouble when he was younger, but Susan White said Lirley was the poster child for having turned himself around.
Lirley had been in and out of prison between 1994 and 2005 on drug, burglary and other charges. According to state prison officials, Lirley had been in trouble while incarcerated early on, but did not have any disciplinary infractions after 1998.
Officials review disciplinary reports and consider them when they determine a person's willingness to change.
After 1998, Lirley went a long time without any disciplinary infractions, said Josh Gelinas, communications director for the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
White said Lirley had committed to changing his life. She described him as a good husband and father, adding that she believes he was an innocent victim.
"I truly believe he was at the wrong place at the wrong time," she said.
The sheriff's office has been tight-lipped about the investigation thus far.
Lirley celebrated his 35th birthday Monday and was in North Augusta to pick up a gift from his family, a family friend said.
"My heart goes out to his family and his in-laws," White said.
The gunman was last seen getting into a white Oldsmobile Alero with tinted windows.
He is described as a black man in his late teens. He is between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall and about 160 to 180 pounds.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (800) 922-9709. Individuals also should call CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.
Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.
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Posted by: On: Thursday, November 26, 2009 11:34 PM
Comment Title: Re Thomas
If you are this mans brother I have this to say. Don't read this crap, and don't let this bother you. You are right and they are wrong.Period. Only guilty people criticize others. I hope you find peace again someday. Please don't listen to idiots who have nothing better to do than pick on people who can't defend themselves.
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Posted by: thomas On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 4:30 PM
Comment Title: Wake up America
since when does buying drugs make you a bad person? ppl go to the bar all the time and drive home over the .08 tolerance limit and they are breaking the law, so dont sit here and bash on a guy who was in a drug infested neighborhood. before you sit there and type your opinions why dont you look at yourself in a mirror and see if you are perfect before you try and judge someone else. so what people do drugs get over it. Military members, Law Enforcment, Fire Fighters, Teachers, Politicians, Doctors. and ppl complain about them but its okay for rappers and movie actors to smoke weed huh? so what if he was buying drugs, doesnt mean that he had to get shot by some punk. thats my brother and i'll be damned if you are going to down grade him.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 3:45 PM
Comment Title: Re realist
Sorry, but every drug infested neighborhood in America has decent people living there, often held hostage by the thugs who hang out there. Don't judge a book by its cover.
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Posted by: The Realist On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 2:04 PM
Comment Title:
So he went to a drug infested area to get a gift from his family eh???
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 1:31 PM
Comment Title:
How many cars matching that description are registered out there. Come on ACPD do your job.
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 1:30 PM
Comment Title:
How dare you blame the victim! Blame the thug who stole his life. My guess is this is not the first, or last time he has killed. Catch that scum and let the thugs know we are NOT going to take this treatment anymore!
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Posted by: Carol On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 12:12 PM
Comment Title: Ummmmmmm NOOOOO...
It has NO relevance.... The focus should be on the shooter, not the victim. Joe had turned his life around and was proud to have done so. How dare YOU pass judgement on him, without even knowing him at all. I will also add, Joe was in the area to pick up a gift. Can he help that his family members live in a drug infested neighborhood??? No he couldnt help that. We all know that drug dealers open fire, not caring whom or what they hit while doing so. They are spineless, bullies that can only show power by using a gun. I hope they find this scumbag and nail his a** to the wall.....
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Posted by: On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 11:21 AM
Comment Title: Relevant
Well I found that information relevant there Jessica. It shows it was prob. a drug deal gone bad since he was in a HIGH drug trafficking area and now we know he has a past of drug abuse.
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Posted by: Jessica On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 10:27 AM
Comment Title:
I find it quite disrespectful that the paper felt the need to publish the victims past mistakes. How is this information even relevent to the investigation? NOTHING! A husband and father lost his life on Monday. Bringing up his past only trashes his memory and causes his family more pain. Shame on you, Aiken Standard.
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