Pizza delivery turns fatal

Deputies investigate mobile home robbery that claimed driver

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By CRYSTAL OWENS Item Staff Writer
cowens@theitem.com

A Cherryvale man was robbed and shot to death Saturday night while delivering pizzas at a local mobile home park, authorities said.
William J. Flexon, 46, of 4627 Blanche Road, Lot 165, was pronounced dead at the scene about 8:45 p.m. from a gunshot wound to the chest, Sumter County Coroner Verna Moore said.

An autopsy at Newberry Pathology Associates has been scheduled for today.

Reports said Flexon was found lying on the ground next to his van in front of a mobile home at 1128 Cherryvale Drive, Lot 7, in the OC Mobile Home Park.

Flexon was reportedly delivering food for Sambino's Pizza, a business that recently moved from its Broad Street Extension location across from Shaw Air Force Base to S.C. 441, when the shooting occurred.

At least three males were seen by witnesses running from the scene toward Babette Road following the shooting, according to reports, but so far no arrests have been made.

Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said investigators have not yet identified any suspects but as of Sunday night were following leads.

Investigators, he said, have been able to conclude that Flexon was shot during a struggle and was robbed only of the pizzas he was delivering.

"We don't think this was random. There was definitely more than one attacker. But we also don't think he was a personal target," the sheriff said.

Flexon's attackers, he said, likely placed the order with the restaurant and then waited at the vacant mobile home for him to arrive.

His death is the first killing Sumter County deputies have investigated this year.

On Sunday, Cherryvale area residents said they were saddened by the recent events but unfortunately were not surprised by the violence.

"Every day for about a month ... there's been the same group of guys out there, shooting regularly," said one woman who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. "It's ridiculous. It's always shooting over there. Always shooting over there."

Dennis said deputies regularly patrol the Cherryvale area.

"It's our intention to do everything we can to solve this and prosecute the individuals responsible for this to the fullest," he said.

Flexon had worked as a full-time delivery driver for Sambino's for about three to four years. He was described Sunday by his co-workers as someone who was trusted by everyone he met.

"He was probably one of the best employees I ever had," said the business' owner, Rodney, who declined to give his last name. "He never called in sick, never complained. ... Every customer that came to Sambino's knew Bill."

The owner said in the business' eight years of operation, it's always had a policy of giving in to robbers' demands. It's an unfortunate side of the delivery business, he said, but a risk all know is there.

"There's always that chance in this business," he said. "Our policy is give them whatever they want. ... Obviously in this case, pizza is all they wanted."

Contact Staff Writer Crystal Owens at cowens@theitem.com or (803) 774-1270.