Snakes stop deputies from investigating man’s killing

CHESTERFIELD, S.C. (AP) – Deputies investigating the shooting of a man outside his South Carolina home say they couldn’t go inside the house because of several venomous snakes.

Authorities say 33-year-old Freddie Herman Jr. was found dead Thursday morning at his Chesterfield home.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks told media outlets that neighbors heard arguing and gunshots several hours earlier, but didn’t call 911 because it wasn’t unusual to hear gunshots.

Brooks says deputies found rattlesnakes, copperheads, pythons and a cobra inside the home and had to call a company from Charlotte, North Carolina, to safely collect the before going inside.

The sheriff says deputies also found several malnourished pit bulls, wild pigs and 30 box turtles in Herman’s home.

No arrests have been made. Brooks didn’t give a possible motive for the killing.

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