Pelion Man Shot to Death

Lexington County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a 34-year-old man on charges that the man fatally shot his brother on Friday after a dispute over a game of dominoes.

Sheriff James Metts said detectives arrested Robert B. Banks, Jr., of 1343 U.S. 178, Pelion, on charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Banks is in the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing. 

An arrest warrant alleges that the suspect shot his brother, Bobby Lee Banks, 33, at about 10 p.m. on Friday at the home where both men reside. Investigators say following a verbal dispute over the game, the suspect allegedly retrieved a .45-caliber handgun from his bedroom and fatally shot his brother.

According to the Sheriff's Department, deputies arrived at the brothers' home and found Bobby Lee Banks lying on the floor and unresponsive. The Lexington County Coroner’s Office later determined that Banks had died from a gunshot wound to the head. 

After allegedly shooting his brother, Robert B. Banks, Jr. fled the Pelion home, Metts said. Eyewitness accounts led investigators to establish Robert B. Banks, Jr., as the suspect in the shooting, Metts added. Deputies later located the suspect and took him into custody at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Saturday. 

Robert B. Banks, Jr. provided a written and verbal confession to investigators for the shooting, Metts said. However, details concerning the dispute remain under investigation, he added.

Metts asked anyone with additional information concerning the fatal shooting of Banks to call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at (803) 785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.