Suspect killed in shootout with officers after chase in Sumter identified

SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO) – A spokesperson for Sumter Police Department confirms a fatal officer-involved shooting happened at the intersection of Guignard Drive and Miller Road.

The Sumter County Coroner’s Office said Waltki Cermoun Williams, 35, of Sumter, was killed during an incident near Miller Road and Guignard Drive.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday morning in Newberry.

The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating.

Sumter police department spokeswoman, Tonyia McGirt, said it started as a domestic dispute at about 9:30p.m. Saturday, at the Sumter Mall. The call indicated that a female was afraid to go outside of the mall after an estranged boyfriend threatened to kill her and was seen outside pointing a firearm at her vehicle.

When officers arrived, they recognized a red SUV driven by the suspect that was described during the calls to 911.

A police pursuit then began after Williams spotted the officers and drove off at a high rate of speed, McGirt said. The pursuit ended when the SUV driven by Williams crashed into two vehicles at the intersection of Miller Road and Guignard Drive.

Authorities say Williams got out the vehicle, a short foot chase followed. There was a brief struggle and then an exchange of gunfire, the details of which are under investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division.

No other injuries were reported in the crash or to the officers involved in the shooting.