Standoff Leads To K-9 Injury, Destroyed Drone
Christopher Dale Dameron, 49, of Dreher Island Road in Prosperity, was arrested following an approximately three-and-a-half-hour standoff with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office Critical Incident Response Team and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The incident began at approximately 10:00 p.m. when the South Carolina Highway Patrol was investigating a hit-and-run accident on Seibert Road. A Highway Patrol Trooper and a Newberry County Sheriff’s Deputy went to Dameron’s residence as part of the investigation.
When law enforcement officers made contact with Dameron, he presented a firearm and pointed it at the officers. Dameron then barricaded himself inside the residence.
Deputies attempted to negotiate with Dameron for more than two hours, but those efforts were unsuccessful. During the incident, a law enforcement drone was deployed. Dameron knocked the drone out of the air and destroyed it.
Chemical munitions were subsequently introduced into the residence, prompting Dameron to exit the house. After coming outside, Dameron attempted to evade law enforcement and then attempted to retreat back into the residence. A SLED K9 intervened and prevented Dameron from reentering the house.
Dameron assaulted the SLED K9 during the encounter, causing the K9 minor injuries. Dameron was ultimately taken into custody at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Dameron is expected to face charges for:
• Reckless Driving
• Hit and Run with Property Damage
• Pointing and Presenting a Firearm
• Malicious Injury to Property in Excess of $2,000
• Assault on a Law Enforcement Animal, pursuant to the new South Carolina law
Several Newberry County Sheriff’s Office deputies were treated at the scene by Newberry County EMS, Lake Murray Rescue, and Fairview Fire Department for exposure to the chemical munitions.
Newberry County Sheriff Foster said, “You just cannot point a weapon at a law enforcement officer and resist arrest. We are grateful for SLED and their K9. Without their assistance, this situation may have turned out much worse.”
Sheriff Foster added, “Unfortunately, there are more violent people in our society, and law enforcement is at the forefront of protecting our communities. We also thank the Fairview Fire Department and Lake Murray Rescue Squad for their support and assistance during this incident.”
The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office thanks the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, SLED K9 team, Newberry County EMS, Lake Murray Rescue, and Fairview Fire Department for their assistance in bringing this dangerous situation to a safe conclusion.
All charges are allegations, and Dameron is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Christopher Dale Dameron, 49, of Dreher Island Road in Prosperity, was arrested following an approximately three-and-a-half-hour standoff with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office Critical Incident Response Team and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The incident began at approximately 10:00 p.m. when the South Carolina Highway Patrol was investigating a hit-and-run accident on Seibert Road. A Highway Patrol Trooper and a Newberry County Sheriff’s Deputy went to Dameron’s residence as part of the investigation.
When law enforcement officers made contact with Dameron, he presented a firearm and pointed it at the officers. Dameron then barricaded himself inside the residence.
Deputies attempted to negotiate with Dameron for more than two hours, but those efforts were unsuccessful. During the incident, a law enforcement drone was deployed. Dameron knocked the drone out of the air and destroyed it.
Chemical munitions were subsequently introduced into the residence, prompting Dameron to exit the house. After coming outside, Dameron attempted to evade law enforcement and then attempted to retreat back into the residence. A SLED K9 intervened and prevented Dameron from reentering the house.
Dameron assaulted the SLED K9 during the encounter, causing the K9 minor injuries. Dameron was ultimately taken into custody at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Dameron is expected to face charges for:
• Reckless Driving
• Hit and Run with Property Damage
• Pointing and Presenting a Firearm
• Malicious Injury to Property in Excess of $2,000
• Assault on a Law Enforcement Animal, pursuant to the new South Carolina lawSeveral Newberry County Sheriff’s Office deputies were treated at the scene by Newberry County EMS, Lake Murray Rescue, and Fairview Fire Department for exposure to the chemical munitions.
Newberry County Sheriff Foster said, “You just cannot point a weapon at a law enforcement officer and resist arrest. We are grateful for SLED and their K9. Without their assistance, this situation may have turned out much worse.”
Sheriff Foster added, “Unfortunately, there are more violent people in our society, and law enforcement is at the forefront of protecting our communities. We also thank the Fairview Fire Department and Lake Murray Rescue Squad for their support and assistance during this incident.”
The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office thanks the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, SLED K9 team, Newberry County EMS, Lake Murray Rescue, and Fairview Fire Department for their assistance in bringing this dangerous situation to a safe conclusion.
All charges are allegations, and Dameron is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
