Aiken County deputies shot an armed man during a a tense confrontation early Sunday that followed reports that he had shown up to a woman’s home with a shotgun.
The man survived the shooting in Salley, and the sheriff’s office has asked the State Law Enforcement Division to conduct an independent investigation. Authorities did not immediately release the man’s name.
Around 1:05 a.m. Sunday, deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of Depot Avenue NE in Salley for a suspect armed with a shotgun, sheriff’s Capt. Eric Abdullah said in a press release. The 911 caller reported that the suspect showed up armed to her home and left.
“Responding deputies searched the area where they found the suspect walking with the firearm,” Capt. Abdullah said. “After locating the suspect, he refused to put down his shotgun and continued to walk away. Later during the contact with the suspect, he put down the shotgun and placed one hand behind his back into his waistband where he continued to refuse commands from deputies.”
After being struck with a beanbag round, the suspect pointed a handgun at deputies and fired. The suspect was struck by returned gunfire from officers.
After being taken into custody, deputies rendered aid until Aiken County EMS arrived on scene, Capt. Abdullah said. The suspect was stable and taken to an area hospital for treatment. No deputies were injured.
