Deputies Take Action During Hostage Situation & Stand-off in Greer

At approximately 9:30 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012 the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office received a disturbance call from Skyland Drive in Greer. A female complainant from inside the residence advised dispatchers that the suspect had arrived at the home. Shortly after the call was initiated the female complainant advised that the suspect had fired a weapon into the residence and had gained entry. Once deputies arrived at the incident location attempts were made to call the suspect out of the home, however, all attempts were unsuccessful.

At approximately 10:20 pm the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. team was called to respond to the residence. Sheriff’s Office negotiators also responded. Negotiators were able to speak via telephone to the suspect and through conversation learned that the suspect had shot one victim inside the home. Deputies also learned during that time that multiple adults and children were inside the home being held by the armed suspect. Once the negotiators and S.W.A.T. team members determined that the suspect did not intend on ending the situation peacefully measures were taken to forcibly enter the home to save the hostage victims.

Shortly after midnight the S.W.A.T. team breached the doors of the residence and immediately started taking fire from the suspect. Entry team members began to return fire which resulted in a brief exchange of gunfire between the suspect and deputies. During the encounter with the suspect, two deputies were shot by the suspect. Two other deputies were able to fire at the suspect subsequently eliminating the threat. The two deputies as well as the suspect were transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Ultimately, five victims to include two children were rescued from the home. One unknown male was found deceased in the home; believed to have been shot by the suspect when he initially entered the home. Three of the five victims sustained injuries during the incident that required transport to the hospital. It is unknown at this time the nature of the injuries or how the injuries occurred.

The gunshot wounds sustained by the two deputies are not life-threatening. Per Sheriff’s Office Policy, the two deputies who shot the suspect have been placed on administrative duty pending the Sheriff’s Office internal investigation in addition to the investigation currently being conducted by SLED.