Don Matthews Obituary, Death – The SBI is actively pursuing an investigation into the officer-involved shooting that resulted in a fatality yesterday in Hamilton. The incident occurred during a standoff on North Front Street, directly opposite town hall.
Several neighbors informed WITN that the individual who was shot was identified as Don Matthews. However, authorities have not yet disclosed the man’s identity.
According to dispatch records, after the gunman discharged shots from within the building, deputies sought assistance from the Emergency Response Team of the Greenville police. Records indicate that this request was made around 12:15 p.m. Greenville police reported that their officers arrived on the scene, and the man was fatally shot at approximately 5:30 a.m.
An emergency medicine physician, who is part of the response team, provided immediate medical assistance to the man, as stated by the police.
The standoff commenced following reports of a silver Chevy pickup truck circulating the area at around 8:45 p.m., with the driver being intoxicated and armed with a shotgun.
Dispatch records indicate that roughly thirty minutes later, the man opened the back door of the building on North Front Street before closing it again. A few minutes after that, he exited through the front door while armed and then re-entered the building. At approximately 12:15 a.m., the first shots were fired, prompting deputies to request the special response team from Greenville. Shortly thereafter, additional shots were fired.
The Greenville officer involved has been assigned to administrative duties while the SBI carries out an independent investigation into the shooting.