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A 33-year-old man has been charged with an open count of murder following a deadly shooting in the parking lot of Slatestone Grocery on Monday.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested and charged William Charles Waters, 33, of Washington with an open count of murder in the death of 44-year-old Jamie Stewart Daniels.  Waters also faces several drug charges.

Deputies responded at 1:45 p.m. to a report of a shooting in the Slatestone Grocery parking lot. When they arrived at the scene, deputies found Daniels dead of apparent gunshot wounds. 

According to a BCSO press release, investigators learned that an argument between Daniels and Waters over stolen property began at Waters’ house on Terrapin Track Road, not far from the store.  Daniels ran from Waters’ home and was chased by Waters and another unnamed man.  A physical confrontation began in the store parking lot, where Waters shot at Daniels multiple times.  It is unknown at this time exactly how many times Daniels was hit.  

N.C. Highway Patrol Troopers were the first to arrive on scene and immediately took Waters into custody.  He is currently being held in the Beaufort County Detention Center without bond. 

Waters has also been under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office drug unit for being involved in the use and distribution of fentanyl and prescription pills.  He was charged on Nov. 30 for one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule II controlled substance and another count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance.

In addition to the murder charge yesterday, the drug unit also charged Waters with two additional counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance involving the sale of oxycodone and fentanyl.   

The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be forthcoming, according to the Sheriff’s Office.