The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died following a deputy-involved shooting on Johns Island earlier this week. According to the coroner, the individual was 34 years old and a resident of Johns Island. Officials confirmed he was pronounced dead at the scene during the early morning hours of February 11.
Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said the incident began just after 9 p.m. Tuesday when deputies responded to the 2900 block of Edenborough Road for a reported disturbance. When deputies initially arrived, they were unable to locate the individual connected to the call and cleared the scene.
Deputies were called back to the area a second time early Wednesday morning. While en route, they reported spotting a vehicle believed to be connected to the earlier disturbance near the intersection of Maybank Highway and River Road.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies attempted a traffic stop. Authorities say the driver did not comply, and a pursuit followed. The vehicle eventually stopped near Edenborough Road and Caroline Lane, where the driver exited and ran from the scene.
Officials stated that during the subsequent foot pursuit, the individual discharged a firearm. One deputy was struck in a protective vest. Law enforcement officials confirmed the vest functioned as designed, and the deputy did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
In response, deputies returned fire, and the individual was fatally wounded. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene at approximately 3:53 a.m., according to the coroner’s office.
Sheriff Ritchie said incidents involving the use of force are taken seriously and are subject to thorough review. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has been requested to lead the independent investigation, which is standard protocol in deputy-involved shootings across the state.
SLED will examine evidence, review body camera footage if available, and conduct interviews as part of the ongoing investigation. Findings will be submitted to the appropriate authorities once the review is complete.
Officials have not released additional details at this time, citing the active nature of the investigation. Authorities are asking members of the public to rely on verified information from official sources as the process moves forward.
The sheriff’s office expressed appreciation for the deputy’s protective equipment, noting its role in preventing more serious injury. The department also extended thoughts to all those affected by the incident.
As with all deputy-involved shootings, transparency and accountability remain central to the investigative process. Updates will be provided by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division as more information becomes available.
