Lexington County man killed answering front door

GASTON, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a 64-year-old Lexington County man is dead after he was shot while answering his front door.

Sheriff James Metts said Leon Justice was shot about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday in the doorway of the Gaston home where he was renting a room. Deputies found him minutes later lying on his back, breathing but unconscious. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Metts says the home’s owner, Rose Lucas, told deputies she was in the kitchen when she heard someone knock. She says she saw two men wearing masks confront Justice.

Her son, Daniel Lucas, told deputies he saw one of the suspects run across his mother’s front yard and get in a dark-colored pickup truck.

Metts says detectives are pursuing leads to identify the two men.