SLED investigating officer involved shooting in Aiken County
Monday, Jul 29, 2024
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Aiken County.
Aiken County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call regarding a man acting erratically while removing his clothing and walking along Columbia Highway in the direction of J.D. Lever Elementary School. Deputies responded and encountered the man. During the encounter, there was a physical altercation between the man and deputies. During the altercation, deputies deployed TASERS. The TASERS were not effective. As the altercation continued, deputies shot the man. The man was transported to the hospital for treatment and remains hospitalized. No deputies were shot, though one was treated for injuries at the hospital. SLED was requested to investigate by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.
This is an ongoing investigation. As such, no other information about the case will be disclosed by SLED at this time.
SLED conducts law enforcement officer involved shooting (OIS) investigations at the request of the agency involved in the incident or the agency with jurisdiction. When requested to investigate an OIS, SLED’s goal is to conduct a thorough, independent criminal investigation as timely as is possible under the circumstances. SLED agents will conduct interviews with all potential witnesses in this matter. Further, SLED will collect all relevant evidence and will forensically test such evidence as needed. Information gathered in the SLED investigation of the incident will be summarized in a case file report to be submitted to prosecutors.
The incident in Aiken County was the 28th officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2024. This is the 1st officer involved shooting for the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office this year.
In 2023, there were 43 officer involved shootings in South Carolina. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office had 3 officer involved shootings last year.
