Shortly before midnight on a Tuesday in Clinton, South Carolina, 69-year-old Rufford Jones was found lying in the roadway on Florence Street with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers responded to 304 Florence Street at about 11:17 p.m.; emergency personnel rendered aid and transported Jones to Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital, where he died. The Laurens County Coroner ruled the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds.

A 34-year-old man, Vincent Marc Viner, was detained at the scene, arrested and charged with murder, breach of peace of an aggravated nature, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He is being held at the Johnson Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was asked to assist the Clinton Police Department, and investigators have characterized the shooting as an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community.

Friends described Jones as a kind man whose death has left the community shocked and grieving. If anyone saw activity on Florence Street that night or has information about the shooting, please share what is known with investigators.