State Briefs

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Greenville County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a fatal shooting.

Apolimar Castillo died around 5 a.m. Sunday from a single gunshot wound to the head at his home, Greenville County deputy coroner Linda Holbrook said.

Castillo had just come in when his roommates say they heard a gunshot. The roommates told deputies they went outside after the shot was fired and spotted a van driving away from the home, Master Deputy Michael Hildebrand said.

Law enforcement

sees good year in Legislature

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was a good year for law enforcement as the Legislature had a budget surplus that allowed for pay increases, new officers and other resources.

The increases followed years of losing officers because of low pay or no money for new hires.

The law enforcement highlights of the budget include a 4 percent across-the-board pay increase for all state employees and another 6 percent for officers.

Funds were allocated for 403 new law enforcement officers at the State Law Enforcement Division and the Departments of Public Safety, Corrections, Juvenile Justice and Natural Resources.

Law enforcement and correctional agencies also have an additional $12 million to buy new vehicles and other equipment.

SLED Chief Robert Stewart said the money will be a tremendous help.

‘‘We could not be more pleased and more appreciative to both sides of the Legislature and the governor,’’ Stewart said. ‘‘This will help us to make significant strides forward.’’

Attorney general says Carolina Investors probe continuing

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The state investigation of the failure of Carolina Investors Inc. and its parent company is continuing, while federal authorities are pursuing their own probe, Attorney General Henry McMaster said.

At the beginning of the investigation, ‘‘we envisioned this under more of a task force umbrella with the (Securities and Exchange Commission) and the feds,’’ McMaster told The Greenville News for a story Sunday. ‘‘Since that time, we have not called on the federal establishment for assistance, and I’m not sure what they’re doing.’’

McMaster said the SEC’s investigation most likely is focusing on HomeGold Financial Inc., Carolina Investors’ parent company, which was publicly traded.

The collapse of HomeGold and Carolina Investors took more than $275 million from more than 8,000 people.

Charleston police charge

second man in teen’s death

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Police say they have arrested and charged a man with strangling a teenager after stealing his wallet and cell phone.

Travis Lavar Casey, 23, of Charleston, was arrested Thursday night and charged with murder and armed robbery, Charleston police said.

Seventeen-year-old Travis Spry was sitting in a church parking lot with two acquaintances when he was strangled May 23 with a rope by someone in the back seat of the car. Spry had just finished a shift at a restaurant and had with him $160 in tips, a few bucks from a paycheck and a new camera cell phone, according to police.

Spry’s body was found more than a week later after one of the acquaintances admitted being an accomplice and led police to some woods in Dorchester County, police said.

Christopher Bryant, 20, has been charged with accessory to murder.