DOMESTIC-RELATED SHOOTING SPREE EARNS 28-YEAR PRISON TERM FOR COWPENS MAN

A Cowpens man received a 28-year prison sentence today after a jury decided that he littered an occupied local home with at least six gunshots.

Jurors convicted Keith R. Pearson, 26, of 369 Old Pacolet Road, of two counts of assault and battery with intent to kill, five counts of assault with intent to kill and discharging a firearm into a dwelling. The jury deliberated for less than 20 minutes before issuing its verdict.

The Aug. 24, 2002 attack injured his sister-in-law, Larhonda Harris, and Terrance Glenn, a friend of his wife, Theresa Pearson. Three children, who ranged in age from 5-12, were in the Stonecreek Drive apartment home during the 1:10 a.m. attack.

When deputies arrived at the home, they found several bullet holes inside. Harris was struck in the arm while a bullet grazed Glenn’s chest and his bicep. Harris and Glenn were both treated at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

“We are lucky this situation didn’t turn out worse than it did,” Assistant Solicitor Bob Coler said. “Mr. Pearson showed a blatant disregard for human life when he fired his 9 mm gun into the home.”

During their investigation, deputies learned that Pearson had been inside the home prior to the shooting. Theresa Pearson told deputies she had endured strained relations with her husband since their breakup weeks earlier.

Pearson will have to serve more than 20 years before he is eligible for early release.

For more information, contact Bob Coler at 809-0308.