Murder suspect still at-large

Submitted photo.

An accused murderer, alleged to have killed two woman and beat another woman so severely she has been hospitalized, is at-large and a serious risk to the community, officials have said.

Local law enforcement officers continue to share information on the possible whereabouts of 55-year-old Franklin Wright, who faces murder and arson charges in Aiken County and is wanted in connection with the Wednesday beating of an Augusta store clerk that left her in critical condition.

Jennie Hope, 54, worked at the Lotto Express on 13th Street. It was unclear whether that crime had any connection to the slayings.

Her condition is being withheld from public release due to client confidentiality laws.

Wright has served several stints in prison and is known among his peers as a "tough guy," said a man acquainted with him but who wished to remain anonymous.

Wright, the acquaintance said, was supposedly doing yard work in the Aiken area and had been riding a bike to and from his Beech Island home until a customer gave him a vehicle.

Investigators have not commented on a vehicle but have said Wright is likely now on foot.

Officials said Wright was interviewed by investigators along with a number of other suspects in recent weeks, but he was not identified by police as the alleged homicide suspect until Thursday when warrants were issued for his arrest for the Aug. 11 murder of 75-year-old Yana Schenker and 38-year-old Shalamar Byrd.

Neither Wright's connection to the two women nor his alleged motive for the murders has been discussed by local law enforcement officers.

Schenker's son, Bill Schenker, said he was "profoundly saddened" when he heard about the most recent attack on Hope.

"I know all too well how terrible this must be for her family," he said. "I am not a religious man, but I do pray for her recovery and my heart and the hearts of my family go out to her and her's."

He said he hopes "this unspeakable crime will lead to the capture and convection of the horrible person that so brutally murdered my mother and Ms. Byrd."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (800) 922-9709 or the Aiken County Coroner's Office at 642-1741.

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.