COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A suspect is dead after a stabbing in Sumter County led to a high-speed chase and shots being fired between the suspect and a deputy.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) said that deputies responded to a domestic disturbance on Wendemere Drive around 6:13 p.m. on Wednesday.
When they arrived, deputies said they found a victim who had been severely stabbed. The victim was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey for treatment.
The condition of the stabbing victim has not been released.
Deputies were told the suspect had driven away in a white Hyundai, possibly heading toward Charleston. According to SCSO, deputies saw the vehicle near the intersection of Queen’s Chapel and Old Camden Highway shortly after and attempted a traffic stop.
Law enforcement said the suspect refused to stop and attempted to flee. The suspect then fired shots at a deputy during the pursuit, and the deputy returned fire.
According to SCSO, the chase continued through Sumter and Kershaw counties and northbound on Highway 15 into Lee County, where the suspect’s vehicle veered and crashed off of Ashwood School Road.
The suspect was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey suffering from a gunshot wound and later died.
The department says no deputies were hit by gunfire, though one deputy sustained an ankle injury and was taken to Prisma Health Tuomey. According to officials, he is expected to recover and return to duty soon.
“The suspect attempted to kill someone this afternoon and then attempted to kill one of our deputies,” Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said. ”I am grateful he failed in both attempts.”
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the South Carolina Highway Patrol have been requested to assist in the ongoing investigation of the incident, officials confirmed.
This is a developing story. More details will be released as they become available.
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