Charlotte Observer | 11/27/2006 | $20 USC-Clemson bet led to killing, police say

Who says college football isn't more important than life and death?

And who says the fine folks of the State of South Carolina aren't up to date with the latest technilogical innovations?

Charlotte Observer | 11/27/2006 | $20 USC-Clemson bet led to killing, police say: "$20 USC-Clemson bet led to killing, police say
Authorities say winner got rifle after friend refused to settle wager on football game
D?NICA COTO
dcoto@charlotteobserver.com

A South Carolina Gamecocks fan fatally shot a friend over a $20 bet on a weekend football game, authorities said.

James Walter Quick watched the South Carolina-Clemson game Saturday at his friend's house in Lexington, S.C., about 100 miles south of Charlotte. The Gamecocks came from behind and won, 31-28.

Quick celebrated.

But his friend, Clemson fan Richard Allen Johnson, said the Tigers shouldn't have lost and refused to pay, authorities said. So Quick left the house and retrieved a high-powered rifle from his Chevrolet Corsica.

'He went back in and told Richard, `I want my money or I'm going to shoot you,' ' said Lexington County Sheriff James Metts, adding that both had been drinking beer.

Metts said Johnson's wife and several friends told police that Johnson then said: 'You can't shoot me, I'm invisible.'

And Quick replied, 'No you're not.'"