South Carolina police officer killed, another injured in gunfight

A South Carolina police officer was killed and another was injured in a gunfight on Saturday while responding to a domestic dispute, Columbia Police Chief W H “Skip” Holbrook said.

The suspect, a 33-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record, was also killed, Holbrook said at a news conference.

The officer who died was 29 years old. He had been with the police department for two years. He leaves behind a wife and two young children, Holbrook said.

“Our hearts are broken this evening,” the chief said, appearing emotional at times. 

After a news conference on Saturday night, Holbrook and other law enforcement officials joined a procession from the hospital. The second officer was in stable condition, Holbrook said. 

“I hope that our officers know that they're not alone in this. We will lean on each other in this tragic time,” Holbrook said. “Let's pray for this department,” he added. 

The shooting began after a woman called police at around 9:30 am on Saturday. She told officers that a man against whom she had a restraining order was destroying property at her home.

An officer arrived at the scene and learned that the suspect had already left. The woman gave the officer a description of the man and his vehicle.

The officer left the house at around 10:30 am. Minutes later, he reported a suspicious person after seeing someone near a vehicle matching the description given by the woman, Holbrook said.

A second officer arrived to provide backup. Minutes later, the officer radioed that the officers “were hit and a suspect was down,” the chief said. 

The suspect was a 33-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record in multiple states, Holbrook said.  (with inputs from PTI)