Police:  Laurens Teen Bragged To Classmates About Killing Neighbor

Bound by handcuffs, a Laurens teen went straight from school to jail.  17 year old Daniel Lomax faced a magistrate judge Tuesday afternoon, charged with killing his neighbor, 55 year old Daniel Lanford.  Police say the teen broke into Lanford’s home sometime early Friday morning.  It’s news that comes as a shock to everyone around his Green Street home.  “He fit right in,” says neighbor Paula Wright.  She says Lanford was a funny, sweet man, who everyone considered “a friend.” 

    When Wright woke up last Friday, and looked out to check on her neighbor, she immediately knew something was wrong.  “I looked out and saw his door standing open, and that was unusual because it was extremely cold.  So I called 911.”  Laurens Police found the 55 year old inside, shot several times. 

    They tracked down Lomax Monday afternoon.  Someone from Laurens High School called, saying the teen was walking around campus, talking about killing someone.  Now, police believe, Lomax had help.  His uncle, Will Davis, stood in the same courtroom Tuesday, charged with being an accessory to murder.  Police say Davis showed his nephew how to clean a gun, and destroy evidence.  “It’s so sad,” says Wright.

    A judge denied bond for Lomax.  Davis’s bond was set at $50,000.  Now, neighbors back on Green Street are still wondering if they could have done more to stop the senseless crime, and save their friend.  “I figured there was hope he would make it.”