PICKENS — A prominent Pickens attorney was gunned down behind his law office around 5 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, according to Pickens police.

Coroner Kandy Kelley confirmed that J. Redmond Coyle, 61, of 734 Placid Cove Way, Salem,was taken to Cannon Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Pickens Police Chief Tommy Ellenburg said a man shot Coyle multiple times before shooting himself. The incident took place in the parking lot behind Coyle’s 303 E. Main St. office, he said.

Jerry Dean Crenshaw, 61, of 420 Martin School Road, was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment where he was later pronounced dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Kelley.

Police believe Crenshaw shot Coyle then himself, Ellenburg said.

Following the shooting, traffic near the scene was almost at a standstill as drivers slowed down to see what was happening.

Police taped off the parking lot behind the office as deputies with the Pickens Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

One of Coyle's former clients, Mitchell Evatt, stood near the taped-off area as the investigation went on into the evening.

Evatt said he had known Coyle most of his life and that the attorney helped him with both his divorce and disability case following a work-related accident.

Thursday morning, officers were not allowing the media to take photos at the scene.

However, a note on Coyle's offic door read, "Office closed due to untimely death of Mr. Coyle. All appointments canceled. Clients will be contacted at a later date."

Police do not have a motive in the shooting so far but say preliminarily that Coyle may have been involved with a case with Crenshaw.

See www.pickenssentinel.com for and Wednesday's print edition for further details.