Pendant might provide link to arrest in 3-year-old shooting death.

ANDERSON — Three years after a gunman shot and killed an Anderson man outside a Chinese restaurant, officials are counting on a $40,000 reward and a silver engraved pendant to provide the tip that can close the cold case.

Pete Wells, 44, was shot twice at about 8:45 p.m. Oct. 13, 2005 outside the Bamboo Garden Restaurant at 211 S.C. 28 Bypass.

Monday, Anderson County Sheriff’s investigators released a silver engraving of Jesus Christ and a segmented silver chain that Wells ripped from the neck of his assailant.

Denise Wells said her husband was confronted and shot during an attempted armed robbery after retrieving a take-out order.

“(Pete Wells) would give you the shirt off his back, but you are not going to take it from him,” Denise Wells said during a press conference, announcing the two pieces of evidence retrieved from the crime scene.

A year ago, Denise Wells and her now 24-year-old daughter, Regina Wells, put their feelings before the public in a prepared statement.

“It's been two years since you were taken away from your family. Life is so hard without you. It hurts so much knowing you will never walk through the door saying ‘Baby, I'm Home.,’ “ the statement said. “I still sit here waiting on you to come home. Only God knows how hard it is to get through one day to the next without you. There will never be anyone to compare to you and the kindness you had for everyone. You were one of a kind. Baby, we love and miss you more than words can say.”

Monday, Denise Wells said the wait for an arrest has been “hell, not knowing.”

Officials said a $25,000 contribution to the reward fund has been made by Wells’ church with the balance coming from Anderson County CrimeStoppers and other sources.

During the ensuing struggle that killed Pete Wells, he had managed to get into his vehicle before receiving the fatal gunshot, Denise Wells said.

Susann Griffin, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, said there could have been a second suspect, but Denise Wells was not able to confirm more than one assailant.

The gunman left the necklace and an Atlanta Braves baseball cap, said Griffin, revealing the two items Monday, but declining to provide other details three years after the homicide.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (864) 332-5453