Man accused of breaking into home, shooting himself in leg arrested
KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– Kershaw County deputies say a 21-year-old armed burglary suspect was arrested early Wednesday morning.
A 21-year-old armed burglary suspect is in custody following a joint response by the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) and the Elgin Police Department early Wednesday morning. (PHOTO: Kershaw Co. Sheriff’s Office)
A 21-year-old armed burglary suspect is in custody following a joint response by the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) and the Elgin Police Department early Wednesday morning.
An investigation revealed that the suspect aimed his firearm directly at the home’s occupants during the encounter.
On August 12, at around 3:30 a.m., deputies and officers responded to a residential burglary in the 1600 block of Smyrna Road in Elgin.
The suspect forced entry into the home, awakening the occupants, says KC deputies.
Investigating officers later determined that the flashlight used by the suspect was mounted directly to his firearm.
KCSO says that means the weapon was pointed directly at the residents when he illuminated them before fleeing on foot.
Deputies and Elgin Police officers arrived in the area within minutes, then began deploying specialized K9 and drone teams to track the fleeing suspect, say law officials.
While attempting to evade law enforcement, the suspect shot himself in the leg and nearby deputies reported hearing the single gunshot from a distance during the search.
Investigators say about 45 minutes after the initial burglary incident, a family member of the suspect called 911 from a home on McGee Street to request emergency medical assistance for his gunshot wound.
The suspect who was identified as 21-year-old Elijah Bell was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment and has since been cleared and taken to the Kershaw County Detention Center.
