Coroner Identifies Suspect Killed by Officers
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C (WOLO) -The Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified the victim of a fatal officer-
involved shooting that occurred Tuesday morning.
According to Fisher, John Bittle, 39, of Lexington was pronounced dead at the scene as the result of a gunshot wound.
An autopsy has been scheduled for May 10, 2017. The investigation by SLED is ongoing.
The shooting happened around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home in the 200 block of Seleta Circle.
Authorities say members of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s Fugitive Task Force had a warrant for the suspect on two counts of distributing methamphetamine.
A short foot-pursuit ensued, the man began making threats toward officers, authorities say.
A Lexington County deputy fired his weapon, hitting the suspect.
The task force also consists of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) FugitiveTask Force, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD).
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.
No word yet on the identity of the suspect.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said the suspected of initiated a vehicle pursuit with a Lexington County deputy March 30.
The chase ended after the suspect entered a rural portion of Aiken County, authorities say.
An autopsy has been scheduled for May 10, 2017. The investigation by SLED is ongoing.
