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Stepfather, stepson killed in Lancaster murder-suicide

By Greg Suskin, wsoctv.com
By Greg Suskin, wsoctv.com

LANCASTER, S.C. — A 911 call led Lancaster police to a home on Connor Street early Monday morning. Inside the home they found the body of TJ Price Jr., 24, in a bedroom. As officers were securing the house, they had no idea if anyone else was inside. As they were approaching another bedroom, they heard a gunshot inside.

Barack Shabezz, 48, shot and killed himself when officers were just feet away from him.

Family members and friends filled Connor Street for hours, awaiting any word on how and why.

Darella Twitty is a cousin of the victim. She couldn't believe what happened.

"I’m still in total shock, even though I’m standing here now," she said.

Family members told Channel 9 the family was together Sunday night in Great Falls for a party. Several people said Shabezz was acting strangely, but they didn't know why.

Twitty said Price was a good-hearted person.

"It’s a really tragic loss. You know, I feel like we've lost one of the good ones," she said.

She also said Shabezz was a friend who had given her advice in the past, and was a good person to talk to.

The family moved from Great Falls to Lancaster in October after their home there caught fire. Lancaster police said they had no prior calls to the home, and the man who owned the house they were renting called them a great family.

Tyrell Hayes, 17, was one of the last to see Price alive. He was with him early Monday morning, and said they would always hang out together.

“I kind of looked up to him as a big brother, because he'd usually make sure every time he saw me I was straight. He'd give me money or anything I needed," Hayes said.

Lancaster police wouldn't comment about the gun that was used, or release any statements from witnesses in the house.  This is the first homicide of the year for the city of Lancaster.

Investigators believe some kind of argument started between Shabezz and Price and led to the shooting, but they didn't give any more specifics about a possible motive.

Autopsies on both men are scheduled for Tuesday morning.

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