Law Enforcement-Related Shooting Incident Results In Fatality
Update on Friday 1:35 pm: Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece has identified David Michael Kitchens, 35, of Whitmire as the decedent.
As we have been reporting throughout today, SLED is investigating an officer involved shooting in Newberry County.
At 9:18 pm Thursday evening, Newberry County 911 received an emergency call from a resident on Little Egypt Road in the Whitmire section of Newberry County.
The caller stated that there was an individual in the yard beating on their home and firing a weapon. As the telecommunications deputy kept the caller on the phone, the event escalated with the individual trying to break into the home. The caller was very excited and afraid the individual would get into the house. The caller then notified the telecommunications deputy that the suspect was on back porch and was trying to break into a door. At that point, the suspect shot in the house.
While the suspect was in the back of the home, the caller was able to tentatively provide the responding deputies with a name of the suspect. The caller then stated the suspect had walked away.
Responding deputies were told the suspect had fled to an adjoining property, where the suspect resided. A deputy approached the house and called the suspect out. The deputy observed the suspect armed with a rifle in the doorway.
As the deputy asked the suspect to drop the firearm, the suspect pointed the weapon at the deputy, resulting in the Deputy discharging his firearm, striking the suspect. The Deputy called for medical assistance and immediately began life saving measures.
Whitmire Rescue Squad and Newberry County EMS responded to the scene and determined there were no vital signs.
Sheriff Lee Foster immediately called in SLED to conduct the investigation, which is policy.
The deputy was not injured.
Sheriff Foster stated this is an unfortunate incident and we regret loss of life, however, Deputies must protect themselves from harm. Now more than ever, law enforcement find themselves in dangerous and life-threatening situations.
The deputy has been placed on administrative leave, which is part of the protocols and policies.
Any further statements and information will be from SLED.
Update on Friday 1:35 pm: Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece has identified David Michael Kitchens, 35, of Whitmire as the decedent.As we have been reporting throughout today, SLED is investigating an officer involved shooting in Newberry County.At 9:18 pm Thursday evening, Newberry County 911 received an emergency call from a resident on Little Egypt Road in the Whitmire section of Newberry County.The caller stated that there was an individual in the yard beating on their home and firing a weapon. As the telecommunications deputy kept the caller on the phone, the event escalated with the individual trying to break into the home. The caller was very excited and afraid the individual would get into the house. The caller then notified the telecommunications deputy that the suspect was on back porch and was trying to break into a door. At that point, the suspect shot in the house.While the suspect was in the back of the home, the caller was able to tentatively provide the responding deputies with a name of the suspect. The caller then stated the suspect had walked away.Responding deputies were told the suspect had fled to an adjoining property, where the suspect resided. A deputy approached the house and called the suspect out. The deputy observed the suspect armed with a rifle in the doorway.As the deputy asked the suspect to drop the firearm, the suspect pointed the weapon at the deputy, resulting in the Deputy discharging his firearm, striking the suspect. The Deputy called for medical assistance and immediately began life saving measures.Whitmire Rescue Squad and Newberry County EMS responded to the scene and determined there were no vital signs.Sheriff Lee Foster immediately called in SLED to conduct the investigation, which is policy.The deputy was not injured.Sheriff Foster stated this is an unfortunate incident and we regret loss of life, however, Deputies must protect themselves from harm. Now more than ever, law enforcement find themselves in dangerous and life-threatening situations.The deputy has been placed on administrative leave, which is part of the protocols and policies.Any further statements and information will be from SLED.
