12/30/2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Update: Murder Investigation
On December 19th, 2021, deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to 346 Stewart Gin Road in Liberty, South Carolina, regarding a disturbance. After arriving at the scene, deputies located an adult male deceased in the yard from an apparent gunshot wound.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned that the deceased, Stephen Wayne Kneece, arrived at the incident location shortly before the shooting with three other adult males. Upon arriving at the residence, Kneece, along with several other armed subjects, approached an adult male at the property, alleging that the subject owed them money. An altercation ensued, resulting in Kneece being shot by the subject.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the male subject attempted to escape the area in a vehicle and, while doing so, was shot at by acquaintances of the deceased. Deputies were able to quickly locate the male subject at a nearby residence.
After having interviewed and located the parties present, many of whom fled the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement, as well as evaluated evidence recovered from the scene, Detectives with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office presented their findings to the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Following a review of the evidence by both the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the death of Stephen Kneece, at this time, has been determined to be a justifiable homicide; however, the investigation remains ongoing.
As a result of the incident, a total of three subjects have been arrested due to their actions immediately following the shooting death of Stephen Kneece. A fourth subject, Rickey Wayne Green Jr., remains wanted in connection with this incident.
The names and charges are listed below.
BASQUETTE, JEREMY LEE
- 2021A3910101337 Attempted Murder
OWENS, NICHOLAS DALE
- 2021A3910101345 Attempted Murder
- 2021A3910101346 Obstructing Justice
- 2021A3910101347 Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
GREENE, RICKEY WAYNE JR
- 2021A3910101342 Attempted Murder
- 2021A3910101343 Obstructing Justice
- 2021A3910101344 Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
RUSSELL, DALTON LEE
- 2021A3910101348 Attempted Murder
- 2021A3910101349 Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime