North Charleston police arrested a 56-year-old man Thursday in connection with a fatal assault that occurred on Elder Avenue last month.

Keith Gregory was taken into custody by detectives and the department’s Intelligence-Led Policing Unit and booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center, according to North Charleston Police Department records.

The arrest stems from a Dec. 17 assault on Elder Avenue that resulted in one death. Police have not released the victim’s identity or specific details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Elder Avenue runs through a residential area of North Charleston, connecting Rivers Avenue to Remount Road in a neighborhood that has seen increased police attention in recent years as the city works to address violent crime rates.

Gregory’s arrest comes as North Charleston continues efforts to combat violent crime through targeted policing initiatives. The Intelligence-Led Policing Unit, which participated in the arrest, uses data analysis and crime mapping to focus resources on high-crime areas and repeat offenders.

The unit has been part of broader law enforcement strategies implemented across Charleston County as local governments grapple with public safety concerns that frequently dominate Politics & Government discussions at city council meetings.

North Charleston Police Department spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for additional information about the case, including what charges Gregory faces or whether additional arrests are expected.

The Al Cannon Detention Center, operated by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, houses defendants from across the county awaiting trial or serving sentences for misdemeanor convictions.

Court records show Gregory’s case will likely be processed through the Charleston County court system, where violent crime cases have created significant backlogs in recent years.

The Dec. 17 incident adds to North Charleston’s 2024 violent crime statistics, which city officials have been tracking closely as they develop budget priorities for the coming fiscal year.

North Charleston, with a population of approximately 115,000, is South Carolina’s third-largest city and has invested heavily in police technology and community policing programs in recent years.

The city allocated $47.2 million for police operations in its current budget, representing one of the largest line items in municipal spending. Mayor Keith Summey has made public safety a cornerstone of his administration’s priorities.

Elder Avenue sits in North Charleston’s District 4, represented by Councilwoman Virginia McDaniel, who has advocated for increased police presence in residential neighborhoods experiencing higher crime rates.

The arrest Thursday demonstrates the ongoing work of detectives who investigate violent crimes in the Charleston area. The Intelligence-Led Policing Unit’s involvement suggests investigators used data analysis and surveillance technology to identify Gregory as a suspect.

Such units have become increasingly common in South Carolina law enforcement agencies as departments adopt more sophisticated approaches to crime prevention and investigation.

The timing of Gregory’s arrest, more than two weeks after the initial incident, indicates investigators spent considerable time building their case before making an arrest.

Police departments typically take time to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and coordinate with prosecutors before arresting suspects in homicide cases to ensure charges will hold up in court.

The case will now move through the Charleston County judicial system, where Gregory will face arraignment and potentially bond hearings depending on the specific charges filed.

Details about Gregory’s criminal history, if any, were not immediately available through public records.

The North Charleston Police Department’s investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not indicated whether they expect to make additional arrests in connection with the Elder Avenue incident.

Families and residents in the Elder Avenue area have been seeking answers about the Dec. 17 incident, which occurred in a neighborhood where many residents know each other and violent crime is relatively uncommon.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact North Charleston Police Department detectives or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry.

The arrest represents another case closed by North Charleston detectives, who handle dozens of violent crime investigations each year across the city’s diverse neighborhoods and commercial districts.