New sketch released in hunt for serial killer

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Sketch of the suspect in the killings (Cherokee Co. sheriff's dept.)

Sheriff Bill Blanton (WSPA)

GAFFNEY, SC (WBTV) - Authorities in the Gaffney area are searching for a man who they say has killed four people in the last six days. Friday, they released a new sketch image after a teen girl narrowly survived a shooting in which her father was killed Thursday.

The latest killing happened Thursday night at an appliance store in the city of Gaffney when the owner of the store was shot. The other killings happened in Cherokee County, but in a close 10-mile area.

"Under the FBI definition... yes we have a serial killer," said Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton at a Friday morning news conference, just hours after a man was shot closing a store near downtown Gaffney.

On Thursday night, 48-year-old Stephen Tyler was shot to death at his furniture store in Gaffney around closing time. His 15-year-old daughter was shot and badly injured, authorities said.

The community seems to be on edge as the local newspaper published a large headline of "Terrorized" on Friday morning.

"Our community has a right to be concerned," Blanton saida the news conference. "We are dealing with a man who has shot a teenage girl and an 80 year old woman. The good people in this community don't deserve that. It doesn't seem like he shows much remorse. We need to be vigilant in our safety."

Police say the man might be driving a tan 1991-1994 Ford Explorer two-door SUV.

Authorities said that the man had been targeting women in the killings, but backed off that Friday.

"If I say yes (he is targeting women), he may change" his pattern, Blanton said.

Blanton said that it is likely that the man has changed his appearance since a flyer was released.

"I am sure there is fear in our community," Blanton said. "I would be foolish to say there is not."

Coroner Dennis Fowler identified the victims from earlier this week as 83-year-old Hazel Keaton Linder of Gaffney and her 50-year-old daughter, Gena Linder Parker of Anderson.

A peach farmer in the area, 63-year-old Kline Cash, was gunned down at his home June 27. The bodies of Keaton and Parker were discovered Wednesday at a Cherokee County home.

The county of 54,000 people had six homicides in 2008. Blanton said that he was concerned that residents might be on edge.

"We are concerned that people might start to shoot at shadows," Blanton said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report