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Home builder found shot dead
“Tony†Ippolito was an active member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia and formerly served on its board of directors, according to Earl McLeod, the executive director.The body of Anthony Francis Ippolito, 65, of Laurel Branch Way was found facedown under shrubbery near the edge of the parking lot of Lexington Partners Inc. about 8:51 a.m., the release said.
Home builder found shot dead
By LEE HIGGINS
An Irmo-area man was found dead early Wednesday outside his Bush River Road custom home building business, Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said.
But investigators have not determined where or when he was shot, according to a sheriff’s department news release.
The body of Anthony Francis Ippolito, 65, of Laurel Branch Way was found facedown under shrubbery near the edge of the parking lot of Lexington Partners Inc. about 8:51 a.m., the release said.
A male employee called 911 to report a man was unconscious outside the business, the release said. A preliminary autopsy showed Ippolito was shot multiple times in the upper torso, the release said.
“Tony†Ippolito was an active member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia and formerly served on its board of directors, according to Earl McLeod, the executive director.
McLeod said Ippolito was a good, honest man who ran the business with his son and son-in-law.
“When he tells you a deal’s a deal, it’s a deal.†McLeod said. “He’s a man of his word.â€
Ippolito’s wife last saw him alive when she went to bed shortly before midnight, the release said. When she awoke between 7:30 and 8 a.m., she noticed he wasn’t home, the release said.
It was not unusual for him to go to work early and not tell her he was leaving, the release said.
Rhonda Jacobs, a real estate agent who has known Ippolito since 1993, was shocked. She said he was a jovial man who often shared jokes about subcontractors. He built homes mostly in Chapin, Lexington, Irmo and West Columbia, she said.
“He was an easy guy to deal with. I can’t imagine why this would happen. I certainly can’t think of any reason anybody would want to hurt him.â€
Reach Higgins at (803) 771-8570.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/16540063.htm |
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