Brooke Center, 8-year-old SC girl shot twice in head, killed

[MuffyBee]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SC_GIRL_SHOT?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US
ul 8, 8:54 PM EDT

8-year-old SC girl shot twice in head, killed


CHESNEE, S.C. (AP) -- Police in South Carolina say an 8-year-old girl has been shot to death by the estranged husband of her father's girlfriend.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright says the man grabbed the girl in a headlock Wednesday and shot her twice in the driveway of a home in Chesnee, about 60 miles southwest of Charlotte, N.C.

He then shot himself in the stomach. He was taken to a hospital but his condition and identity weren't released.

The coroner's office identified the girl as Heather Brooke Center.

Wright says the shooter was driving his estranged wife and the girl to swim and play. Investigators aren't sure why he shot the child.

The sheriff says the suspect has a long criminal record and will be charged with murder if he recovers.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wyff4.com/news/20019235/detail.html
Memorial Set For Fatally Shot 8-Year-Old
Ricky Blackwell Accused Of Shooting Brooke Center

POSTED: 5:31 pm EDT July 10, 2009
DUNCAN, S.C. -- A memorial service has been planned for an 8-year-old girl who was shot to death on Wednesday.

Ricky Lee Blackwell
Visitation for Brooke Center is 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. at the Stribling Funeral Home in Duncan. The public is welcome.

A memorial fund has been set up to help pay for help cover the funeral costs. Donations can be made at any Wachovia Bank under the name "Heather Brooke Center."

Ricky Lee Blackwell has been charged in Brooke's death.

Deputies that Brooke was killed after Blackwell's estranged wife, Angela, arrived at a home at 244 Ridings Road on Wednesday. Heather is the daughter of Angela Blackwell's new boyfriend.

The home is next door to Ricky Blackwell's residence, and it belongs to his daughter and her husband.

Brooke planned to swim and play with friends at the home, police said. Witnesses said, when Brooke got out of the car, Blackwell grabbed her, put her in a headlock and shot her once in the head, and three more times as she fell to the ground.

Brooke Center
Three other children and a teenager witnessed the shooting, police said.

A short time later, deputies said that Ricky Blackwell, who had run into nearby woods, shot himself in the side when confronted by deputies.

He was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where he remains in good condition and is expected to survive his injuries.

The Seventh Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy said he will seek the death penalty in Blackwell's trial.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10672683
Prosecutor to seek death in SC girl's slaying
Associated Press - July 9, 2009 6:45 PM ET

CHESNEE, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina prosecutor wasted no time telling the suspect in the killing of an 8-year-old that he was seeking the death penalty.

Solicitor Trey Gowdy said the notice was served Thursday to 50-year-old Ricky Lee Blackwell as he recovers in the hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the stomach.

Authorities say Blackwell put 8-year-old Heather Brooke Center in a headlock Wednesday, then shot her in the head and fired three more shots into her as she fell.

The girl was the daughter of Blackwell's estranged wife's boyfriend.

Blackwell is charged with murder and kidnapping. Authorities didn't release his condition.

Gowdy called the girl's killing an execution and said it was so shocking the perpetrator deserved to die.

[Gizzie]

   OMG! How horrible! And to shoot her 3 more times too? Like once wasn't enough? This poor little girl! 

[califmom]

WHY??!!  WHY??!! WHY??!!



  Prayers for this little girl, Brooke.  My you rest in peace in the loving arms of Jesus