INDIAN LAND, S.C. — A man has died and a Lancaster County deputy is wounded after gunfire erupted at an apartment complex in Indian Land on Friday, according to South Carolina state law enforcement agents.
Initial details were scarce, but WCNC Charlotte was first tipped off to the scene at the Court on Redstone complex off of U.S. 521 around 7:30 p.m. We were later able to confirm that a coroner with the Lancaster County Coroner's Office was on scene minutes later.
Eventually, agents with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed a deputy with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office was trying to handle a search warrant at a residence in the complex tied to a missing persons investigation. However, SLED said an armed man at the residence took aim at the deputy, wounding the deputy. The armed man, however, was also shot and died at the scene.
The sheriff's office eventually confirmed on scene the man they were looking for was part of a welfare check on the man, and he was the one who took aim. The sheriff's office said they were able to enter the apartment without force, but the man opened fire and hit the deputy in the lower part of the body. Another deputy returned fire and struck the suspect. LCSO says the deputy who was shot is expected to recover.
“This routine welfare check turned very violent very quickly,” said Sheriff Barry Faile in a statement. “We are praying for our officer and believe he will recover. We are sorry for the loss of the life of the subject. SLED will conduct a thorough investigation to determine all the facts and circumstances of this incident. We will defer to SLED for the release of additional information.”
On Saturday, the Lancaster County Coroner's Office identified the man who died as 27-year-old Derrick Clinton II of Indian Land.
SLED reports the deputy was taken to a hospital for treatment, and further investigation is ongoing. The agency also notes this shooting marks the 30th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina so far in 2021. In 2020, SLED said there were 49 officer-involved shootings in the state, with one incident tied to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.
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