BENNETTSVILLE, SC (WMBF) – A 16 hour standoff between several law enforcement agencies and a man wanted for questioning in the death of his girlfriend has ended Thursday, and the man has been taken into custody.
WMBF News has been on the scene in Bennettsville throughout Wednesday night into Thursday morning where Vondell Malachai was reportedly holding himself up in his vehicle with a firearm.
Malachai was wanted for questioning in the death of his girlfriend, Takeyia Easterling. Authorities tell WMBF News Malachai led officers on a high speed chase prior to the standoff.
SLED is currently heading the investigation, and a number of deputies from neighboring counties were called in to assist in the ongoing incident. Several units from Chesterfield County arrived on the scene around 3 a.m. Thursday to provide relief to those officers who first responded to the incident Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities were in negotiation with Malachai, attempting to convince him to surrender to police.
Thursday around noon, Malachai surrendered to authorities without incident, according to WMBF News Reporter Kyle Grainger. He was then taken away by an ambulance to be checked out.
Further details surrounding his arrest have not been released at this time.
Malachai has been charged with murder as well as failure to stop for blue lights and other unknown charges.
Units with the Bennettsville Police Department, the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the scene along Union Street, and had some 80 officers in total at the scene Wednesday night.
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