In the quiet town of Lancaster, South Carolina, a tragic event unfolded at the Palmetto Place Apartments on Pardue Street, just off the Lancaster Bypass, on the evening of Monday, August 11, 2025. The vibrant community, nestled near the heart of downtown, was shaken by the sound of gunfire that left 57-year-old Edward Townsend, a beloved local, fighting for his life. Despite the rapid response of Lancaster police and emergency services, Townsend succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital, leaving a grieving family and a community searching for answers.
The investigation that followed was nothing short of relentless. Within hours, authorities zeroed in on 56-year-old James Singleton, a Lancaster resident, as the prime suspect in the deadly shooting. Described as armed and dangerous, Singleton became the focus of an intense manhunt. Police issued an urgent call to the public, sharing Singleton’s description—a man standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair, a bald head, and a beard. The community was warned not to approach him, and tips flooded in as residents and media rallied to aid the search.
Less than 48 hours after the tragedy, the Lancaster Police Department, in a powerful display of coordination, brought the manhunt to a close. On the morning of Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Singleton was apprehended in Rock Hill, a neighboring city, through a seamless operation involving multiple agencies, including the Rock Hill Police Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the South Carolina Department of Pardon, Probation, and Parole. The arrest marked a swift resolution to a case that had gripped the region, offering a glimmer of hope to a mourning community.
“We are pleased to have achieved a quick resolution in this case, providing justice for the Townsend family,” declared Lancaster Police Chief Don Roper in a heartfelt statement. He extended gratitude to the law enforcement partners, the vigilant public, and the media, whose collective efforts in sharing Singleton’s image and providing critical tips proved instrumental in the suspect’s capture. The chief’s words echoed a commitment to safety and justice, underscoring the department’s tireless dedication to resolving the case.
The Palmetto Place Apartments, a low-income housing complex supported by the LIHTC program, now bears the weight of this tragedy. As the investigation continues, authorities have scheduled a forensic autopsy to uncover further details about Townsend’s death. Meanwhile, the Lancaster Police Department remains steadfast, urging anyone with additional information to come forward by calling 803-283-3313 or submitting anonymous tips via the P3Tips app.
For the Townsend family, the arrest of James Singleton offers a step toward closure, though the pain of their loss lingers. The community of Lancaster, bound by resilience, stands united in honoring Edward Townsend’s memory, hopeful that justice will prevail in the wake of this heartbreaking loss.
