The suicidal North Augusta man who was shot by deputies over the weekend had called 911, warning dispatchers that he would kill deputies and harm himself if confronted, according to a sheriff’s report released Monday.
Justin E. Pollock, 25, of Happyland Circle, continues to recover at an Augusta hospital from two gunshot wounds suffered in his resulting encounter with three Aiken County deputies. SLED has been called in to investigate..
This hospital photo of the suspect was posted on Facebook over the weekend by his niece.
A sheriff’s report spells out the sequence of events:
- Just after midnight Sunday, an anonymous caller dialed 911 and told dispatchers that a suspicious male was standing in the middle of the road at Cherokee Drive at Hillside Drive in Beech Island.
- While deputies were driving there, Pollock himself called 911 and identified himself as the person in the road.
- Pollock told the dispatcher that he was “armed with a handgun and would kill deputies if confronted.” He told the dispatcher what he looked like and described his clothes. Pollock continued to threatened officers and himself with harm.
- When deputies arrived, they found Pollock standing in the road armed with a machete. The suspect also claimed to have a gun.
- Sgt. Andrew Dailey repeatedly ordered Pollock to disarm himself. At the same time, Cpl. Solomon Bruce Turner armed himself with less lethal defense.
- “While attempting to talk the subject into disarming, the subject began to charge Sgt. Dailey, at which time Sgt. Dailey discharged several rounds from his duty weapon into the subject. Cpl. S.B. Turner also discharged a less lethal weapon during the incident,” the report says.
Pollock sustained gunshot wounds and Aiken County EMS was immediately summoned for medical treatment.
Pollock’s Facebook pages suggest he is engaged and shows him posing with two young children. The message that was posted with his hospital picture comes from her niece who stated this:
“I absolutely hate seeing you like this. Justin Pollock you are so young still you have to learn to stop…. I love you and hate that this happened. … i know things are hard and i know you said some things but you didn’t mean them…think about the boys….your family… We don’t want this for you….no.one does… I love you please do better….for you…and your kids….please please please….
?
? imma keep praying cause i know the lords got you in his hands….but its time for a change and a major one at that…..i love you so much…”
Once he recovers from his wounds, Pollock is facing three counts each of attempted murder and weapon possession in regards to his confrontation with the officers.
Pollock does not have a criminal record in Aiken County, other than a disorderly conduct arrest in 2009.
According to SLED, the incident was the 37th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina this year and the second this year involving an Aiken County deputy.
