Lancaster man confesses to killing woman and child, dies in shootout with police
LANCASTER, SC (WOLO) — According to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, shortly before 12:30 p. m. on Sunday, March 9, Lancaster County Public Safety Communications received a call from an adult male indicating that he had killed a woman and her child at 542 Mosteller Drive, Lancaster.
Deputies of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office responded and found the man standing in the yard of the residence. The man was armed, and he and the deputies exchanged gunfire. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner was summoned.
Additional deputies, investigators, and members of the sheriff’s office Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) responded along with troopers of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. A perimeter was established around the home, and deputies made entry. Inside they found an adult female and a juvenile male, both of whom suffered from an apparent gunshot wound or wounds. Both were treated at the scene and then transported by Lancaster County Emergency Medical Services to a medical facility. Their current conditions are unknown.
The incident has ended, and the scene is secure. The sheriff’s office is not looking for additional suspects, and there is no danger to residents of the area. However, the public is encouraged to stay away from the area of Holiday Road and Mosteller Drive for the next several hours.
The names of those involved are not being released at this time. No other information will be released at this time. The scene is active, and the investigation is in its early stages. Deputies of the sheriff’s office did fire their weapons, and agents of the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) were called and are on scene to investigate this officer involved shooting pursuant to sheriff’s office policy. The deputies who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave, also pursuant to sheriff’s office policy.
“A very tragic event unfolded on Mosteller Drive earlier this afternoon,” said Sheriff Barry Faile. “First, our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and friends of those touched by this horrific incident. We pray that this woman and child will survive their injuries.”
“We never want our deputies to be faced with what these deputies rode into today,” said Sheriff Faile. “We train for these scenarios all the time, and early indications show these deputies relied upon that training and acted lawfully and within our policy. We trust SLED to develop all the facts and provide answers for what occurred today.”
Anyone with information about this or any other case should call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283-3388 and select Option 4 or submit a tip in one of the following ways: use the link www.p3tips.com/983 or download the P3Tips mobile app available for both Apple and Android devices. Crime tips may be made anonymously.
