Cops Gun Down S.C. Serial Killer Suspect

41-Year-Old Man Had 25-Page Rap Sheet, Police Say; Shot Dead During Burglary Investigation in North Carolina

(CBS/AP)  The serial killer who terrorized a South Carolina community by shooting five people to death before police killed him Monday was a career criminal paroled just two months ago, authorities said.

Patrick Burris, 41, was shot to death by officers investigating a burglary complaint at a home in Gastonia, N.C., 30 miles from where the killing spree started June 27. Ballistics tests showed his gun matched the one used to kill residents in and around Gaffney over six days last week, said State Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd.

Investigators did not have an address for Burris. While evidence left no doubt he was the killer, they still had no idea why he did it.

"He was unpredictable. He was scary. He was weird," said SLED Deputy Director Neil Dolan.

Burris had a long rap sheet filled with convictions for larceny, forgery and breaking and entering in states across the Southeast, including Florida, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. He had been paroled from a North Carolina prison in April after serving nearly eight years for felony breaking and entering and larceny.

"Look at this," Lloyd said, waiving a stapled copy of Burris' criminal record. "This is like 25 pages. At some point the criminal justice system is going to need to explain why this suspect was out on the street."

Gaffney farmer Sam Howell, 61, was among dozens of people from Cherokee County who came to the news conference where authorities identified Burris.

"My prayers were answered. He got what he deserved," Howell said. "He scared the hell out of everyone. I guess we can feel better but we've lost some of our innocence."

A hundred investigators worked the case 24/7, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann.

The mystery ended in Gastonia early Monday after Mike and Terry Valentine called police to report a suspicious sport utility vehicle in their neighborhood.

They were on edge because the Gaffney serial killer was just a short drive away.

They watched two people who sometimes visit the neighboring home get out of the vehicle, followed by a third man who matched the description of the killer: tall, heavyset, unshaven and wearing a baseball cap. The man appeared to be very drunk, Mike Valentine said.

When officers went inside, Terri Valentine said she heard someone yell "put it down" and heard a gunshot.

Then "bam, bam, bam, bam. Next thing I know, all of Gaston County was here," she said.

Gaston County police said the other two people were in custody, but did not indicate whether they were facing charges.

The Gaffney killings happened in a 10-mile area over six days. Peach farmer Kline Cash, 63, was killed June 27 and 83-year-old Hazel Linder and her daughter, 50-year-old Gena Linder Parker, were found bound and shot in the older woman's home four days later. The next day, Stephen Tyler and his 15-year-old daughter Abby were found shot in their family's furniture store.

The investigation isn't over, and Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton said investigators will trace the suspect's recent activities and trying to figure out if he has killed other people in other places.

"Now we have someone we can focus on," Blanton said.

He said he hopes the arrest calms the fears of 54,000 people in the county 50 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., known for its peach orchards and mills.

"We feel the victims' pain," Blanton said. "This isn't over. We're just changing gears."

[gunownerdan]

Anyone with a rap sheet 25 pages long belongs in jail or 6 feet under.
There's no excuse!

[shawnp1968]

Doesn't all of this sound just a little bit too conveinient? The story says that this all happened early Monday morning, but this story was on the evening news last night... and they were still looking for the killer? How did they get ballistics back so fast on the gun? That has to be the fastest crime lab in the world. They matched the ballistics to ALL 5 victims in less than 24 hours!!! Incredible!!! They found their man, (how sweet that he's an ex-con with a 25 page rap sheet!) they have the gun, they matched the ballistics.... end of story??? Sounds to me like they are trying to appease the gun toting members of that community, before they all start shooting at their own shadows!!!

[gangesdak]

After shooting down the Somali pirates, this is another good news. Can you imagine what would have happened if the killer was justapprehended and cuffed.

[sean58z]

Patrick Burris should had been treated by a state prison psychiatrist and a surgeon with a modified frontal lobotomy. He obviously suffered from alcohol-induced brain damage. State prisons must not foresake serious psychiatric treatment in favor of holism. Herbs and chants only incite a prisoner into violence.

[dartplayer501]

Same treatment as you suggested for the FLA. cat killer yesterday. Now I see you're being sarcastic.

[tbird6740]

That's right, folks! If you kill somebody in cold blood, DON'T COME TO NC! We MIGHT just KILL YOU BACK!

[drthvader]

bossman: It certainly looked like the sketches didn't it? The person shot by agents looks nothing like the sketches. AND with a rap sheet that long he could have been marked as "weird".
I too wish the person had been taken alive.
I'm still confused.
To the people of Gaffney, I'm sorry for your pain and suffering.
Was Patrick Tracy Burris from the Carolinas?

[Spyderwasp]

Question for the World: WHY WASN'T THIS GUY ON A REGISTRY? But only sex offenders recommit, right?

[stn_sage]

It sounds as if the correct man was caught!

It's unfortunate that he couldn't be taken alive, but not difficult to see why! He was looking at life in prison if not the death penalty! He wasn't going to go back there!

Assuming it's over, people can put the safety to 'on' position, on the guns propped against the walls by the front doors of their houses in the Carolina area---let's not have any unnecessary accidents, now!

[drthvader]

A poster at a NC television station site found Patrick Tracy Burris' myspace page. If you care to look it is http://www.myspace.com/483095487
Notice his interests and his moods.
I agree with the SLED official, this person shouldn't have been walking the street for various reasons.

[bossman6]

This link lead to a Parick JEROME Burris, is this the same guy?

[excoachken]

This is a good example of just how incompetent reporters can be. This guy was NOT a "serial killer" but rather a "spree killer." There is a significant difference. Look it up!

[dartplayer501]

Actually no. The spree killers kill a lot of people during one event. This guy is a serial as he killed a few over a period of time, albeit a shorter period than most serials. Semantics I know, but you brought it up.

[drthvader]

How horrifying!! For the town of Gaffney and to the victim's families. Is there still an IF involved in this case? Who was this person and why didn't he travel a further distance away? Still questions here I think. He was from the area?? He was known to be weird? What if this wasn't the real spree killer is still out there?

[bossman6]

We can put the firearms back in the closet and break out the fireworks. Thank you Gaston County Sheriff's Deputies, we owe you one.

[myopinionpal]

Now the folks in Gaffney can enjoy some good football from those Gaffney High Indians next month without looking over their shoulders.

[ABM_21]

He's dead? One word: GOOD!

[pete_in_az]

Vacant house? Well I guess this mortgage/foreclosure nightmare does have a silver lining.

[goeswest]

There isnt much left to say except thank goodness,the citizens of
Gaffney SC can rest easy now,the nightmare is finally over.

[debinok1]

If it was him then at least the people can sleep easier tonight. If it was him maybe this was stopped before anymore had to die at his hands. Just have to wait for more information on whether or not it was him.

[debinok1]

Ok maybe we don't have to wait. The police seem certain this was him. I hope they are right.

[barnswallow56]

It is especially necessary for the family and friends of the victims to have some security about the accurate identification of this monster. The justice system has enhanced the disturbed path of destruction that caused this crisis. Hopefully, the id of this person will not be botched also.

[timothyjo]

good we dont have to feed and house this moron

[jmikey54]

If this was the murderer of the people in SC I think it was too good for him. The person who did these murders should have to face a time certain that he would be executed, He should have to walk to his death knowing that he is going to die for what he did. Also I believe that executions should be done sooner and not delayed by one judge after another. Lawmakers should do something to speed up the execution process, maybe other murderers would think twice before going on a killing spree if they did.

[John_Merritt]

Good arguments except:

1.) In a 'just' society, the rules of law allow for the elongation of time because it provides for appeals based on numerous things, any possible new evidence brought to light, and the fact we are not so rushed to judgment that we miss something altogether. Remember we are a Democratic society and not, say Iran. 'Eye for an eye'. Is that what you want?
2.) Can you think of all those people who have needlessly been incarcerated for something they were accused, tried and sentenced; only to be found innocent years later? I don't have the numbers but I am sure it has happened because we read about it.
3.) There is no fail safe way to try and judge people when you have so much evidence and key witnesses that create mind boggling variables and possibilities. Even though the judgment is rendered you have to allow the appeals to be filed. Recommendation: Create a 'reasonable' time, say 3-5 years.
4.) Than again if someone decides to take someone out, and they encounter law enforecement; what are they supposed to do? Plead with him to give himself up, so that 'he can walk to his death knowing'. Not reasonable. Someone shoots at a cop, they reap their just rewards.
5.) The serial killers mind is not something that even the best profilers can ascertain. However most will agree these guys have no respect for others lives, and could care less about their own. These guys have been known to laugh at others on their execution date. That is how sick they are.
6.) Sometimes nature is the best measure of justice. He shot at a cop, he died. The only sad part is that we may never know why? Or if he did it alone, or had help?

Wonderfuly world we live in, huh?

[tmittelstaed]

He simply would not care. These kids of people are where they are because they have zero capacity for empathy for any other human being. Killing another person to them is less than swatting a fly.

In a way, serial killing like what this guy did is extremely logical. The killer knows after they kill the first person that if they are ever
caught they will be executed - thus after the first victim, they may as well just continue to kill people, their punishment can't be any worse. The only thing that prevents them from killing again is empathy, and they lack that.