Lexington, SC, restaurateur charged with murder after Sunday night shooting

A local restaurant owner has been charged with murder in the shooting death of a Hispanic male victim Sunday night at the Park and Ride parking lot off Riverchase Way in Lexington.

Officers with the Lexington Police Department responded to the area at 8:37 p.m. Sunday in reference to a possible shooting. They found the victim dead on the ground between two vehicles, with several gunshot wounds, according to a news release.

Police also made contact with a female victim who had not been injured but had been involved in the incident at the time of the shooting, according to the release. Detectives identified Gregorio M. Leon, 49, of Lexington County, as the shooter, and he turned himself in at the Lexington Police Department around midnight. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center.

The victims have not yet been identified, and police have not released a motive in the killing. Detectives from the police department worked with the Lexington County Coroner’s Office and the State Law Enforcement Division in the investigation.

Officials do not expect more charges at this time, unless the continuing investigation turns up new offenses, according to Cpl. Cameron Mortenson, public information officer for Lexington police.

Leon is the owner of several area restaurants, according to police. He played a key role in sending former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts to federal prison last year, and agreed to plead guilty in federal court for hiring “unauthorized aliens,” according to papers filed in federal court in October.

As part of the plea deal, Leon also agreed to pay a fine of $180,000 to the federal government, according to court records. In state court, Leon was sentenced to 200 hours of community service for paying the bribes to Metts.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Lexington, SC, restaurateur charged with murder after Sunday night shooting."