About once a week — including this week — somebody in South Carolina is shot in a confrontation with police.
Since the beginning of the year through July 17, there have been 26 so-called “officer-involved shootings” in South Carolina. That’s four more than the 22 at this time last year, according to records from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
More than half of all reported officer-involved shootings occurred in Upstate counties. More than a quarter occurred in Lowcountry counties.
“One shooting of this type, whether fatal or not, is one too many,” said the Rev. Thomas Dixon, a North Charleston activist. “The number of officer-involved shootings we see in South Carolina in the first six months of this year is disturbing. … And if this is the norm, we are not winning the battle to make our communities safe.”
According to SLED and media reports, 15 people died during officer-involved shootings this year:
- Four died in physical altercations with police;
- Four died during exchanges of gunfire;
- Three died while barricaded in their homes; and
- Four died in other situations, including being struck by an officer’s patrol vehicle.
During the 28-week span, seven others were wounded or injured during officer-involved shootings, according to state reports. Three officer-involved shootings resulted in no deaths or injuries.
The Charleston City Paper compiled reports from each shooting, where available — SLED is under no legal obligation to investigate officer-involved shootings, but does so upon request by the department involved. Three of this year’s reported shootings were not investigated by SLED.
The following is a brief account according to SLED and media reports of each officer-involved shooting on record this year in chronological order:
Jan. 1: Spartanburg, Spartanburg County.
A Spartanburg Methodist College campus safety officer shot and killed a suspect during a physical fight.
Jan. 17: Landrum, Spartanburg County.
Greenville County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a suspect during a homicide investigation.
Jan. 21: West Ashley, Charleston County.
Charleston police shot and wounded a suspect following an exchange of gunfire during a foot chase near an Old Towne Road pharmacy.
Jan. 26: Piedmont, Greenville County.
Greenville County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a suspect following an exchange of gunfire while responding to an alleged assault.
Feb. 2: Summerville, Dorchester County.
Summerville police officers shot and killed a suspect following an exchange of gunfire after a routine traffic stop turned into a vehicle chase and standoff on Lilac Drive.
Feb. 4: North Charleston, Charleston County.
North Charleston police officers shot at a fleeing suspect during a foot chase on Kent Avenue. There was no evidence to suggest anyone was injured, according to SLED reports.
Feb. 21: North Charleston, Charleston County.
North Charleston police struck and killed a suspect with a patrol vehicle following an exchange of gunfire after a vehicle pursuit near U.S. Highway 78 and Shipley Street.
March 3: York, York County.
York County Sheriff’s Office SWAT officers shot and killed a suspect who barricaded himself in his vehicle on Alexander Love Highway following a negotiation.
March 4: Gray Court, Laurens County.
Laurens County Sheriff’s Office SWAT members arrested a suspect without injury after an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and sheriff’s deputies.
March 14: Columbia, Richland County.
A police dog with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and a 17-year-old suspect were shot during a foot chase in Columbia, according to media reports. SLED was not asked to investigate this officer-involved shooting.
March 16: Orangeburg, Orangeburg County.
An officer with the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety shot a suspect in the hand after he reportedly opened the officer’s car door, sparking a fight.
March 29: Orangeburg, Orangeburg County.
Officers with the S.C. State University Police Department shot at a fleeing suspect’s vehicle, and the suspect suffered a “graze wound” according to reports.
April 21: Rock Hill, York County.
York County Sheriff’s Office SWAT members shot and killed a suspect who barricaded himself in his home following a call for a domestic disturbance.
April 21: Easley, Pickens County.
Easley police shot and killed a suspect armed with a hatchet during an altercation inside a department store.
April 28: Columbia, Richland County.
Richland County sheriff’s deputies shot and wounded one juvenile, and two others were bitten by police dogs, according to media reports. SLED was not asked to investigate this officer-involved shooting.
May 13: Greenville, Greenville County.
Greenville County sheriff’s deputies and agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shot and wounded a suspect who stabbed a police dog.
May 25: Georgetown, Georgetown County.
A Georgetown County Detention Center corrections officer deployed a Taser and fired a service weapon during an attempted inmate escape. No injuries were reported.
May 26: Florence, Florence County.
A Florence County sheriff’s deputy shot and wounded a suspect after he barricaded himself inside a residence on East National Cemetery Road.
June 2: Spartanburg County.
Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a suspect in the woods following a single-car collision near Interstate 26 and Interstate 85.
June 11: Prosperity, Newberry County.
Newberry County sheriff’s deputies shot and wounded a suspect after he shot and killed a police dog. SLED was not asked to investigate this officer-involved shooting.
June 15: Greenville, Greenville County.
Greenville County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed an armed suspect during a fight near Arch Street.
June 16: Pacolet, Spartanburg County.
Spartanburg County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a suspect following an exchange of gunfire during a standoff along Magnolia Street.
June 28: North Charleston, Charleston County.
A North Charleston police officer attempted to detain drummer Quentin Ravenel, 34, of Charleston, who forced his way into an Alpha Street residence. Both the officer and the homeowner reportedly fired weapons, and Ravenel was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
July 8: Easley, Pickens County.
Easley police shot and killed a suspect armed with an ax following a fight after responding to calls regarding a shoplifting at a Rolling Hills Circle supply store.
July 13: Easley, Pickens County.
Easley police reportedly shot and killed a suspect who barricaded himself inside his home. SLED is still investigating.
July 16: West Ashley, Charleston County.
Charleston police reportedly shot and wounded a suspect in an Ashley Crossing Lane apartment parking lot. SLED is still investigating.
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