CHESNEE, S.C. -- Solicitor Trey Gowdy said Thursday that he will seek the death penalty against the man charged with shooting and killing an 8-year-old girl in Chesnee on Wednesday.

Gowdy said that 49-year-old Ricky Blackwell was served in the hospital with warrants charging him with murder and kidnapping in the death of Heather Center, of Woodruff.

The shooting of the girl happened at 244 Ridings Road, which is listed as Blackwell's address, investigators said. Deputies said they initially got a call about a domestic-related shooting at the residence at about 3 p.m. They arrived and found 8-year-old Heather Brooke Center, of Woodruff, dead on the ground outside the home.

Spartanburg County deputies said they found the Blackwell a short time later and he shot himself once in the torso and was injured.

Blackwell's estranged wife was dating the girl's father, deputies said. Witnesses said Blackwell's estranged wife brought the child to the home so she could play with other children there. Shortly after they arrived, Blackwell took her from a vehicle and shot her, deputies said.

Deputies said witnesses told them that Blackwell, armed with a handgun, fled moments before they arrived. When deputies found him nearby a short time later, they ordered him to drop the weapon. He instead shot himself, deputies said.

"It's just a bad scene," said Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright. "We've got a baby that is deceased that didn't have anything to do with it. I don't have any answers for this. It is just bad."

Deputies performed first aid until medical crews arrived. Blackwell was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where he is recovering from his injuries. They said he will be taken to the Spartanburg County Detention Center when he is released from the hospital.

No one else was injured in the shootings.

Family members described Heather as a vibrant, beautiful girl who played baseball and was a good student. They said they are devastated by the loss.