COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol reports that a trooper has been in an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Saturday, September 11th, in Horry County.  

A South Carolina state trooper was patrolling on SC 905 near SC22 when he attempted to perform a traffic stop for an equipment violation on a vehicle around 3:48 p.m. The trooper initiated the traffic stop, and the vehicle sped away, traveling north on SC 905. 

The trooper began a short pursuit of the vehicle and the violator subsequently crashed his vehicle into a utility building in a residential yard near Secondary 348 (McNeil Chapel Road). The violator then exited the vehicle, and the trooper pursued the violator on foot. When the trooper attempted to place the violator under arrest, a struggle ensued and the trooper discharged his firearm, striking the suspect. 

The violator was transported to Grand Strand Medical Center with injury. The trooper was also injured and transported to Conway Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating the shooting and the SCDPS Office of Professional Responsibility will also conduct an internal investigation at the conclusion of SLED's investigation. The trooper has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard agency protocol following an officer involved-shooting, pending the outcome of the investigation. Any questions regarding the shooting incident should be referred to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.