Update: Arrests made after man found dead in truck on Locust Hill Road

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — A man and woman have been charged in the shooting death of an Easley man found in his pick-up truck Sunday morning on Locust Hill Road just north of Travelers Rest.

The Greenville County Sheriff's Office said deputies arrested 22-year-old Adam Thomas Byrum and 21-year-old Corina Veronica Castro on Monday at a home not far from where the shooting of Jamie Smith, 31, took place.

Smith was found dead inside his Ford F-150 around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, killed by a gunshot wound to the head. Deputies were responding to a call involving the vehicle sitting alongside 6077 Locust Hill Road with its hazard lights on, Lt. Ryan Flood said.

According to warrants, investigators allege Byrum and Castro arranged to meet Smith, whom they were familiar with, under an agreement to make a narcotics transaction. Once they made contact with Smith, the suspects approached the car, opened the door and shot him to death.

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Investigators have also charged Byrum and Casto for a double shooting that occurred at some time during night of March 13 and the early morning hours of March 14. Following that incident, investigators received notification from St. Francis hospital that two gunshot victims showed up at the hospital with serious injuries.

Investigators allege that Byrum and Castro set up the two victims, who were riding in the car together, under the possible pretext of a narcotics transaction. The parties agreed to meet at a location off of Locust Hill Road near Locust Hill Baptist Church, however upon making contact Byrum and Castro approached the victim’s vehicle and shot multiple rounds into the car, striking both of them.

The driver, who was one of the two shot, managed to drive to the hospital for help. The two victims remain in the hospital in stable but serious condition.

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On Monday, deputies responded to 6034 Locust Hill Rd. in an attempt to locate and arrest Byrum and Castro. Deputies said Byrum ran out of the residence in an attempt to flee but was apprehended by a Sheriff’s Office K-9. Byrum was transported to the hospital, which is standard protocol following all dog apprehensions. Castro was arrested without incident.

Castro and Byrum, who are both currently in the Greenville County Detention Center being held without bond, have been charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime and two counts of criminal conspiracy.

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