July 3, 2009

GAFFNEY, S.C. (AP) -- Authorities in South Carolina say they're looking for a serial killer they believe has shot four people to death within 10 miles of each other over the past six days.

Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler says the latest victim was 48-year-old Stephen Tyler, who was shot to death at his furniture store in Gaffney around closing time Thursday. His 15-year-old daughter was shot and badly injured.

Sheriff Bill Blanton said Friday that authorities have evidence linking the latest killing to the shooting deaths of an 83-year-old mother and her daughter on Wednesday and a 63-year-old peach farmer on Saturday.

He wouldn't detail how authorities made the link, but called the suspect a serial killer. Gaffney is about 50 miles west of Charlotte, N.C.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)