Aiken County Deputy Shot Three Times During Traffic Stop, Manhunt Underway

An Aiken County deputy was shot in the stomach, side and leg after a traffic stop on Shiloh Heights Road. A manhunt is ongoing for the suspect, last seen in a grey Hyundai Tucson.

Deputy shot multiple times following traffic stop on Shiloh Heights Road

An Aiken County sheriff's deputy was shot three times late Wednesday night after conducting a traffic stop, wrdw.com reports. A large-scale manhunt is now underway for the suspect, who fled the scene.

The incident began around 11:30 p.m. on Shiloh Heights Road. The deputy pulled over a vehicle carrying two occupants. One of the passengers fled on foot, and the deputy pursued the individual. The suspect then opened fire, striking the deputy in the stomach, the side, and the leg, according to the sheriff's office.

The deputy was transported to Wellstar MCG. Authorities confirmed the deputy was conscious upon arrival at the hospital, though their current condition has not been disclosed.

No description of the suspect has been released. Police are searching for a silver or grey Hyundai Tucson bearing South Carolina licence plate 453DDS. The reason for the original traffic stop remains unknown.

Shiloh Heights Road has been shut down between Pipeline Road and Edgefield Highway. A command centre has been established at the Enmarket gas station at the corner of Shiloh Heights Road and Edgefield Highway. Law enforcement has also deployed drones in the area.

Dozens of police vehicles from multiple agencies are on scene, including the North Augusta Department of Public Safety, the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which has assumed control of the investigation. Additional units are stationed at Wellstar MCG.

The sheriff's office is asking the public to avoid the area. This marks the fourth shooting in Aiken County involving deputies so far this year.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)