Three Orangeburg men have been arrested in the killing of a Banashee Circle man in what is being termed a botched burglary.

Devon Bartley, 20, and Akim Bartley, 17, both of 305 Goodwin Road, Orangeburg, and Devon Hunter, 19, of 810 Banashee Circle, Orangeburg, were charged Wednesday with murder and first-degree burglary.

The charges stem from the shooting death of Cesar Vazquoz Rivera, 24, of 260 Banashee Circle, early Tuesday.

"During the incident, the victim was shot several times with what forensics defined as a 9-mm handgun," Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams said. "We believe Hunter to be the triggerman."

Early Tuesday, a woman at the victim's Banashee Circle home dialed 911 after she heard an argument erupt between Rivera and an unknown male.

As the woman was speaking with a 911 operator, she heard several gunshots. The woman said she then heard someone exit the home, but added she did not hear a vehicle leaving the area.

Williams said that while the suspects were familiar with the victim, they were not well-aquainted.

"They knew of him, but they did not know him," he said. "It's all in the same community."

Investigators feel the home was entered with the intent of burglary. However, it is believed the suspects were unaware the victims were home at the time.

"On April 22, at approximately 12:50 a.m., three individuals forcefully entered the home of the victim with intent of burglary," Williams said. "The three suspects decided that the trio would enter the home and once inside burglarize the home only to their surprise to find the occupant of the dwelling at home."

Rivera was found face down in a kitchen area. He had been shot multiple times. Efforts to revive the victim by emergency personnel were unsuccessful.

Booking reports indicate the youths were detained by police around 1 a.m. Wednesday. Warrants for murder were issued after investigators questioned the youths.

"Officers working throughout the night on intense leads and forensic components were able to develop suspects that had allegedly committed this crime," Williams said. "These individuals were questioned by investigators of the sheriff's office, and as a result of that questioning were charged with burglary first and murder."

An arraignment for the trio will held today at 11 a.m. at the Orangeburg County Law Enforcement Complex.

OCSO Sgt. Lamont Williams is leading the ongoing investigation.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516.

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