Detectives with the Bennettsville Police Department have charged and arrested Don Durant Cook with murder after an October altercation resulted in the victim dying.

Lt. Larry Turner said Cook was initially charged with assault second degree for an incident that occurred on Weatherly Street in Bennettsville on Oct. 1.

Cook and the victim, Michael Pruitt, were involved in a verbal altercation which led to Cook striking Pruitt several times in the head and upper body area with a cane which caused Pruitt to have to seek medical attention and to be hospitalized for the injuries. Pruitt succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 10 while still in the hospital.

An autopsy performed on Pruitt revealed that Pruitt died from blunt force trauma that occurred during the altercation in October.

Cook is being held at the Marlboro County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.