SLED investigating officer involved shooting in Pickens County
Monday, Apr 22, 2024
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Pickens County.
Officers with the Easley Police Department responded to a Walmart on Rolling Hills Circle in reference to a disturbance. Officers encountered a man armed with a hatchet. Following an altercation, officers shot the armed man. He died at the scene. The deceased was later identified as Shawn Anthony Elrod, 33. No officers were injured. SLED was requested to investigate by the Easley Police Department.
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 Pickens County was the 14th officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2024. This is the 1st officer involved shooting for the Easley Police Department this year.
In 2023, there were 43 officer involved shootings in South Carolina. The Easley Police Department had no officer involved shootings last year.
