Suspect Charged After Beating Man to Death with Hammer

UPDATE: the victim has since been identified as 56-year-old Bobby Carl Gainey. It’s believed he and 39-year-old Joseph Lee McFadden engaged in an argument before Gainey was repeatedly assaulted with the hammer. He later died from his injuries at the hospital. McFadden has been apprehended and charged with murder.

A man in Florence County was beaten to death with a hammer Saturday afternoon. At this time the victim has not been identified but the incident reportedly occurred at the Regeneration Center in Effingham. A source close to the investigation said an arrest has been made. Police and the Florence County Coroner said additional information will be released sometime later today.