Detectives: Robbery May Be Motive in Gilbert Man's Murder

A 72-year-old Gilbert man was robbed before he was , detectives say. 

Several items were missing from Robert Lewis Mitchell Sr.'s home, Lexington County Sheriff's Department detectives said. A robbery may have been the motive for the killing. 

Detectives also believe Mitchell may have known the person or people who shot him. 

Mitchell was last seen alive around 3:20 a.m. at the 44 Truck Stop on Pond Branch Road in Gilbert where he bought snacks, according to the sheriff's department. He brought the snacks back to his Juniper Springs Road home.

Detectives say Mitchell was shot and killed at his home sometime between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.

The sheriff’s department received a call at about 9 a.m. on Saturday after Mitchell’s son, Robert Lewis Mitchell Jr., 48, of Lexington, found his father in the home, according to the sheriff’s department. 

Lexington County Coroner Harry Harman ruled Mitchell's death a homicide. Mitchell died within minutes after being shot multiple times in the upper torso, Harman said.

Anyone with information about Robert Lewis Mitchell, Sr. or his fatal shooting should call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.