Patrick Burris, 41, Serial Killer who Terrorized Town of Gaffney, S.C. by Killiing Five People, Shot and Killed by Law Enforcement

The serial killer who terrorized the town of Gaffney, South Carolina, has been shot and killed. Patrick Burris, 41, a career criminal who was paroled just two months ago, shot and killed five people to death last week. Burris was killed by officers investigating a burglary complaint at a home in Gastonia, North Carolina. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd said that bullets in his gun matched those that killed the residents in the Gaffney area. Law enforcement have no idea why this man went on a killing spree, but they are sure they shot and killed the perpetrator.

Burris had a long rap sheet filled with charges such as larceny, forgery and breaking and entering from states across the Southeast, including Florida, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. He had been paroled from a North Carolina prison in April after serving nearly eight years.Given his extensive criminal record, why wasn't this man given a life sentence?

The mystery ended in Gastonia early Monday after a couple called police to report a suspicious sport utility vehicle in their neighborhood. Mike and Terri Valentine were on edge because the Gaffney serial killer was just a short drive away.

They watched two people who sometimes visit the neighboring home get out of the vehicle, followed by a third man who matched the description of the killer: tall, heavyset, unshaven and wearing a baseball cap. The man appeared to be very drunk, Mike Valentine said.When officers went inside, Terri Valentine said she heard someone yell "put it down" and heard a gunshot. Gaston County police said the other two people were in custody, but did not indicate whether they were facing charges. Source: Fox News

Thank God this criminal is off the streets. The investigation is far from over. The police have to retrace Burris' steps to see if he murdered anyone else. This man was a career criminal and it is unconscionable that he was let out on the streets to wreak havoc on innocent lives. He should have been given the maximum sentence possible for his last crime, which would have meant he should have been imprisoned for life.