ST. MATTHEWS – Six men faced a judge Tuesday in connection with what police say was a drug deal that turned violent, leaving one man dead.

Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers said he does not expect authorities to bring a charge of murder against Charles Stephen Day, 20, of Pelion, who, authorities believe, fatally shot 22-year-old Christopher Donell Robinson.

“It has been determined by investigators that the deceased, Christopher Donell Robinson, was armed with a .22-caliber rifle when he was shot in self-defense by another man who Robinson and others were attempting to rob,” Summers said.

Robinson died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, Summers said.

Although no one has been charged with murder, Summers said several men are facing charges as a result of the incident.

Matthew James Ward, 24, of Pelion was arrested on Monday and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. After appearing before a judge on Monday, Ward was taken to the Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Detention Center where he is being held under a $25,000 surety bond.

Charles Chandler Aaron, 19, of Pelion was arrested Tuesday on a charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was given a personal recognizance bond.

Day was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and unlawful carrying of a pistol. Bond was set at $5,000 surety.

First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe said he agrees with the decision not to charge Day with murder.

“They called me Sunday afternoon and with the facts they gave me, this was self-defense,” Pascoe said. “The key here is the perpetrator initiated the first action and implied the intent to commit a robbery.”

In a second group arrested Tuesday, described by Summers as the “buyers’ group,” was Angel Torres, 17, of Gaston, who was charged with armed robbery and possession of a stolen pistol. Bond on Torres was set at $100,000 surety.

Brothers Daniel Joe Hendren, 22, and Derrick Lee Hendren, 18, both of Gaston, are charged with armed robbery. Both had their bond set at $100,000 each.

An arrest warrant has been obtained for Jim Antwan Stevenson, 18, of Columbia, charging him with attempted armed robbery. At last word, investigators were still trying to locate Stevenson.

Summers said investigators believe the shooting was the result of a planned robbery of suspected drug dealers early Sunday.

At about 1 a.m., several individuals met near the Calhoun-Lexington county line on Pine Plains Road under the pretext of conducting a drug transaction, police say.

“Somebody in the buyers’ group called Ward and said, ‘Look, I want to buy some dope,’” Summers said. “He said, ‘OK, I’ll meet you at the American Legion Hut.’”

Summers said, “Everybody in the buyers’ car was armed. They got out of the car and said, ‘Give it up.’”

According to a press release, several individuals from one vehicle approached another vehicle at the Legion Hut and attempted to rob the occupants of drugs and money.

Several shots were fired, which resulted in two individuals being shot and another being fatally shot.

Day allegedly had a weapon on him, Summers said. Day is alleged to have returned fire when the buyers opened up, “striking Christopher Robinson and wounding Angel Torres,” Summers said.

Day also sustained at least two gunshot wounds, one to the shoulder and another to the stomach.

Day’s and Torres’ wounds are not believed to be life-threatening.

At least two weapons thought to be connected with the incident have been recovered. Investigators are awaiting ballistics tests to see if the weapons were actually used in the shoot-out.

Officials said there may be other charges. “There was no way we were going to let this go on in our jurisdiction and set up a drug deal and not prosecute,” Pascoe said.

Anyone who has seen Stevenson is asked to call Crimestoppers of the Midlands at 1-888-CRIMESC or the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office at 803-874-2741.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories at TheTandD.com.

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