Orangeburg man arrested after man shot in head during drug deal

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Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced that an Orangeburg man has been charged with attempted murder after a drug deal went bad.

“We had an individual who was shot during a drug deal,” the sheriff said. “That’s the dangers of buying and using drugs – you can pay for it with your life. This man nearly did.”

Charles Singleton, 23, was charged with attempted murder as well as possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance near a school.

“That’s not a good combination,” Orangeburg County Magistrate Bob Lake said of the attempted murder and drug charges. “Bond is denied.”

Singleton was taken into custody Wednesday after an Orangeburg County man reported being shot at a location near Orangeburg.

The man told Orangeburg County sheriff’s investigators that about 2:30 p.m. he had driven to Seawright Street to buy cocaine and had given Singleton money for the drugs, according to the report.

A dispute broke out when Singleton refused to give the money back after informing the man he had no cocaine.

“This individual who sustained a gunshot wound to the head readily admitted he was there buying drugs,” Ravenell said. “Singleton pulls out a weapon during an argument and shoots through this man’s front windshield, hitting him in the head.”

The man then drove to his home, where he called for law enforcement. He informed investigators he had been shot by a man brandishing a revolver.

Investigators were able to take Singleton into custody after locating him minutes later in a vehicle near the Seawright Street location. They found a revolver in the vehicle as well, according to the report.