Coroner identifies person dead after officer-involved shooting in Newberry Co., SLED investigating

THE LATEST:

Newberry Co., S.C. (WOLO)–Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece has identified the person who died in a law enforcement-related shooting incident.

The incident happened in the Whitmire area of Newberry County around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 7.

According to Coroner Kneece, David Michael Kitchens, 35, of Whitmire was pronounced dead at the scene.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Newberry County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident.

ORIGINAL STORY (POSTED: Dec. 8, 2023):

Newberry Co., S.C. (WOLO)–Deputies with the Newberry Co. Sheriff’s Office say SLED is investigating an officer-involved shooting.

Deputies say they responded to Little Egypt Rd. in Whitmire at 9:18 Thursday night where someone reported a person in their yard beating on their home and firing a weapon.

Ultimately, investigators say, the person began trying to break into the home and shooting into the home.

When deputies say they ordered the suspect to drop his weapon, they say the suspect aimed the firearm at the deputy who then fired striking the suspect.

Deputies say the suspect died at the scene.