An Elbert county home exploded on Thursday morning, and the homeowner is connected to the investigation of a South Carolina paramedic’s deadly shooting.
Greenville News reported that Rodney Gilmer, 50, was fatally shot in the stomach during a domestic dispute in February 2019. His death is under investigation, and no charges have been filed.
South Carolina SLED spokesman Thomas Crosby said that the owner of the Elbert house was “involved in the investigation” of Gilmer’s death.
The house was leveled completely from the explosion, and multiple outlets have reported that a shed on the property had the words “Justice for Rodney” painted on it.
“Examination of the structure determined that the explosion was caused by an air-fuel mixture, which then lit the residence on fire,” Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King said in a news release.
No one was in the home when it caught on fire about 3 a.m., according to King. Officials have not provided the address of the residence or a description of a possible suspect.
Authorities are offering $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the explosion.
Anyone with information about the explosion is asked to call the state’s fire investigations unit at 1‐800‐282‐5804. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
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