A quiet early morning in Clarendon County turned deadly at a local motel, where a Manning man lost his life in a sudden shooting that has shaken the community and sparked an ongoing investigation.
Deputies with the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office were called out around 2:40 a.m. on Sunday to the Ashburn Inn along Alex Harvin Highway near Interstate 95. What they found on arrival was a scene that quickly escalated into a homicide case.
A man was discovered with a gunshot wound to his upper body inside the motel area. Emergency responders moved in fast, but the man was pronounced dead right there at the scene.
The victim was later identified by Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell as 37-year-old George Ragin Jr., a resident of Manning. His death has left family and friends facing sudden shock and unanswered questions.
Investigators moved quickly after the shooting to piece together what happened. Within hours, they began focusing on a suspect believed to be connected to the incident.
Authorities identified the suspect as 57-year-old Willie Ray Nelson Jr. from Buffalo Junction, Virginia. His name soon became central to the developing case as detectives tracked his movements.
By Sunday afternoon, around 1:30 p.m., Nelson was taken into custody at a residence in Williamsburg County. Officials confirmed he was already being held on unrelated outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest.
He remains in the Clarendon County Detention Center as investigators prepare additional charges tied directly to the deadly shooting. Officials have not confirmed what led to the incident or whether the victim and suspect knew each other.
The investigation is still active, with detectives continuing to gather evidence and speak with witnesses. Authorities are also asking anyone with information to come forward as they work to fully understand what happened that morning.
