Update: “Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest in Last Week’s Fatal Shooting”

10/21/2021

For Immediate Release

Contact: Chuck James, Captain

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

A 71-year old female has been taken into custody following an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the October 13th shooting death of Augustin Demsa.  

On October 13th, 2021, deputies responded to 110 Zion Heights Court in Easley, South Carolina, in reference to a report that someone at the residence had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Virginia Louise Cook (71 YOA), who stated that she had shot a male resident following an altercation at the residence. Shortly after encountering Cook, deputies located Augstin Demsa inside a camper that served as his living quarters, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds to the torso.  

Over the past week, detectives have continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident, which included collecting additional evidence and interviewing parties associated with both Cook and Demsa in an effort to identify what transpired.   

Earlier today, Virginia Louise Cook was taken into custody by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Pickens County Detention Center where she was charged with the following:

Charge:        Warrant #:                  Bond:                   Date of Arrest:

Murder        2021A3910101164      TBD                     10/21/2021

Poss. Weapon during Violent Crime   

2021A3910101165       TBD                     10/21/2021

“Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Domestic Shooting Incident”

10/14/2021

For Immediate Release

Chuck James, Captain

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Around 7:00 PM on October 13th, 2021, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a shooting incident on Zion Heights Court in Easley, South Carolina.  Upon arrival, deputies located an adult female at the residence who informed deputies that she had shot an adult male resident following a heated altercation.   While clearing the property, deputies located an adult male deceased with visible injuries that are characteristics of a gunshot wound. 

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Pickens County Coroner’s Office.  At this time, no one has been taken into custody during the early stages of the investigation as Detectives continue to conduct interviews and gather evidence. 

Any inquiries concerning the identity of the victim should be directed to the Pickens County Coroner’s Office.