Man Shot by Deputy After Hostage Situation

NEWBERRY COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)- Newberry Deputies have shot an armed man after a hostage situation on Sunday.

Just before 11:30 a.m. deputies were called to the 400 block of Thornhill Lane in reference that someone had been shot at the residence. While on the way to the residence, they were notified that there was a hostage situation at the residence.

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said there were at least two shots fired inside the residence before law enforcement arrived.

According to authorities, two females and one male hostage were able to escape the residence, but the suspect also fled the residence armed with a “long gun of some type.” The suspect first fled to a pasture, then hid in a ravine, but then left that position and began aggressively advancing on the officers, who were attempting to take cover behind a tree.

Foster said the suspect still had the firearm in his hands, pointed toward the officers, and was making verbal threats to the officers as he moved toward them.

Foster said that despite repeated demands for the suspect to stop and drop the weapon, he continued to advance on the officers with the weapon pointed at them. One of the officers fired striking the suspect. He was disarmed, and medical treatment was sought.

“This shows the grave danger law enforcement faces in today’s society,” said Sheriff Foster. “I commend these officers on their great restraint in this situation. It could have ended very differently without their reaction to this attack from the suspect”

The suspect is being transported to a Columbia area hospital for treatment.

The State Law Enforcement Division has been called to investigate the shooting.

Neither the suspect nor the officer are being identified at this time.