updated 11:36 p.m. ET March 31, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A man killed a 60-year-old woman and shot a store clerk to get cars on his way to see his brother, who was playing football at the University of South Carolina, authorities said Saturday.

Demetrius M. Pepper, 24, was arrested outside of the stadium where the team was playing a scrimmage game, Newberry County deputies said. His brother, Nathan Pepper, is a rising junior defensive lineman for the Gamecocks.

Deputies said the elder Pepper stole his first car after shooting its owner at a Greenville convenience store around 7:45 a.m. Saturday. The car broke down, so he went to the home of 60-year-old Ellie Halfarce looking for another vehicle, Sheriff Lee Foster said.

He rang the doorbell and forced his way in after Halfacre answered, fatally shooting her before taking another vehicle, Foster said.

“There were two cars in the yard that had keys in them. All he had to do was take the car. He didn’t have to go in and kill her over a car,” Foster said.

The convenience store owner was taken to a hospital, authorities said. A condition was not available.

Demetrius Pepper was charged with murder in Newberry County and assault and battery with intent to kill and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in Greenville County, authorities said.

A woman identifying herself as Pepper’s mother answered the phone at a Greenville home, but said she wouldn’t comment.

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