Anderson Co., S.C.

7/7/25 WYFF:

"Anderson County father cleared in fatal shooting of son after alleged attack, deputies say"

Columbia, SC

8/31/23 NBC News:

"Police said the identity of the homeowner who fired the gunshot that killed Nicholas Donofrio shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday will not be released because the police department and the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office determined his actions were justified under the state's controversial "castle doctrine" law, which holds that people can act in self-defense towards "intruders and attackers without fear of prosecution or civil action for acting in defense of themselves and others."...

"While the woman was on the phone with police, Donofrio broke a glass window on the front door "and reached inside to manipulate the doorknob," at which point the male resident fired the shot through the broken window that struck Donofrio in his upper body, according to police."

Lexington, SC

 8/23/22 Lexington County Chronicle:

The shooting death of a home invader in Lexington has been ruled a justifiable homicide.

Lexington Police relayed the decision from the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office about an Aug. 16 incident, during which a man and his brother-in-law, 33-year-old Matthew Stanfield of Colorado, exchanged gunfire.

The release notes that “it was found that the male victim acted in self-defense ... during a home invasion and violent assault.”

Stanfield had made previous threats against his sister, wife to the male victim, and their children, the release states.

“This incident began minutes after the male victim had left for work when he was notified with an alert on his mobile phone that someone was on his property,” the release recounts. “Viewing the security camera on his mobile phone, he saw that Matthew Stanfield was outside of his home and immediately called dispatch to report an unwanted guest.

“When the male victim arrived home, he heard glass breaking from the door on the side of the house and advised the dispatcher of the home invasion in progress. The male victim entered his home and confronted Matthew Stanfield as he was trying to break into the bathroom where the female victim was hiding by striking the door repeatedly with a metal bat. Matthew Stanfield and the male victim fought for several minutes and then Matthew Stanfield went outside reaching into a large backpack that he had brought with him. 

“The male victim, believing that Matthew Stanfield was arming himself with a firearm, went to get his handgun. Matthew Stanfield took a rifle from the backpack and began shooting at the male victim as he ran into the bedroom where he was able to get his handgun. The two exchanged gunfire resulting in Matthew Stanfield’s death and the male victim being shot in the arm and shoulder with non-life-threatening injuries.”

Pickens, SC

12/4/18 CBS News:

PICKENS, S.C. -- A South Carolina woman is being hailed as a hero after investigators say she fatally shot an escaped inmate who had kicked in the door of her home as she slept early Tuesday. Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark says the inmate was one of two who escaped the Pickens County Prison as a part of a "premeditated plan" around 2:40 a.m. ...

Clark said the woman had undergone firearms training and was licensed to carry a concealed weapon. He credited her for receiving the training and said it helped her save her own life. 

Ladson, SC

12/22/17 Charleston Post & Courier:

The death of a man who was shot five times at a Ladson home this summer has been deemed justifiable homicide, authorities said.

Zachary Cole Davanzo, 23, was killed Aug. 15 at 104 Meese Road.

Officials determined that a woman had shot Davanzo, a roommate in their home, to protect her husband, recently released documents showed. The couple gave investigators consistent self-defense accounts, and prosecutors recommended not pursuing charges against them, the reports added.

Berkeley County, South Carolina

3/15/17 WCSC gives more detail:

Police Chief Rick Ollic told reporters Wednesday afternoon their investigation revealed a man the Berkeley County Coroner identified as Elijah A. White, Jr., 30, forced his way into a home on Post Oak Court off Highway 52. White was armed with a handgun and wearing a mask and gloves, he said.

"We also retrieved from him rope, which I believe he was going to tie up the victims if he got into the residence, so there was no doubt he was there to do some serious harm to this family," Ollic said. 

The homeowner fired his gun when White burst into the home, fatally striking him, Ollic said.

Police also arrested a woman they say went to the door posing as a representative of a homeowner's association and was wearing a fake badge that read, "HOA."

Ridgeville, South Carolina

3/22/17 ABC channel 4:

RIDGEVILLE, S.C. (AP/WCIV) — Berkeley County sheriff's deputies say a man who shot and killed a man in Ridgeville earlier this week was apparently acting in self-defense.

Local media outlets reported that 23-year-old Ishmel Taquan Rivers was shot and killed Sunday in Ridgeville after he pulled two guns during a fight.

Berkeley County Coroner Bill Salisbury said Rivers went to the Garden Court home, met with three people (including a resident of the home), and got into an argument. Salisbury said Rivers shot the resident in the shoulder and one of the other three fired back at Rivers, hitting him four times.

Deputies say Rivers had been out of prison for just two months when he exchanged gunfire with a man. Records show Rivers had just completed a prison term for involuntary manslaughter in a 2012 shooting.

Five years for killing someone?  No wonder he was out.  Won't happen again.

Barnwell, SC

10/25/16 WRDW/WAGT:

A Barnwell woman will not face charges for shooting her son after he allegedly threatened her and attacked the mother of his children.

According to Chief Reuben Black, Bettie Ann Newton shot Venson Jones outside her Turner Street home on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Chief Black said that Jones was attacking the mother of his 4 children, 37-year-old Wanda Badger.

According to the incident report, Newton told investigators that he did exactly what he said he was going to do. She told them that Jones threatened to assault her and burn her house down just the day before. She went to the store where Badger worked to let her know what he said. Newton claims that Jones asked for a hammer to bust open Badger's head and kill her, and then carry out his original plan to assault his mother and burn her house down.

Columbia, SC: This Never Happens Back in New Jersey

1/26/16 WIST:

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
A 35-year-old New Jersey man has been identified as the armed robbery suspect who was shot and killed in a shootout during a botched robbery attempt at a Fort Jackson Boulevard barbershop.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts says Adeyemi Herschelle Hannibal died due to multiple gunshots wounds.

Hannbal and a second, unidentified man attempted to rob the Next Up Barber and Beauty shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Several people, including children, were inside the business when two armed men wearing masks demanded and stole money from them.

Chauncy Harris witnessed it all unfold. It was a scene he will never forget.
 "He smacked me in the back of my head, and I said, 'Okay, this is probably when he's going to shoot me now and just sent an example and walk on out the door with the money,'" Harris said. "But that's when my man let loose. That's when everybody else had their stuff and was ready to take care of business."

Two of the victims with valid concealed weapons permits opened fire on both men. Hannibal was wounded in the exchange, ran from the barbershop and collapsed outside. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead by medical staff a short time later, according to police.

Why Leaving Your Kids in Possession of Guns is a Bad Idea

From Nov. 10, 2015 WCSC:

LADSON, SC (WCSC) -
Authorities say one burglary suspect is dead and another arrested after a 13-year-old boy opened fire at a home in Ladson on Tuesday.

The Charleston County Coroner's Office identified the deceased suspect as 31-year-old Lamar Brown of Summerville who died at Trident Hospital at 2:32 p.m. from gunshot wounds.

Investigators with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office arrested 28-year-old Ira J. Bennett of North Charleston and charged him with first-degree burglary and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Around 1:53 p.m., deputies responded to a home on Elderwood Drive in the Woodside community for a report of shots fired.

An incident report states the 13-year-old was asked to come out of the home. Deputies say the boy then exited the home without incident.

Deputies spoke to the teenager who said he was home alone when a vehicle pulled up behind his home.

The boy said one of the two suspects attempted to get into the home, at which time the teen said he feared for his safety, got his mother's gun and began firing at the suspect.

"He saw a subject out back trying to get inside so he fired his mother's gun through the door and the subject reportedly fired back," CCSO officials said.

According to authorities, the juvenile fired several more times as the vehicle drove away.
Several neighbors reported to detectives that they heard gunshots, and saw a grey small car pull out near the home and speed away.

CCSO officials say a grey Chevy Sonic arrived at Trident Hospital with several gunshot holes.
An affidavit states the passenger in the car had three gunshot wounds, and was rushed to ER in critical condition.

Read more: http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/30483472/ccso-one-person-dead-after-13-year-old-opens-fire-at-suspected-burglar#ixzz3t5yHD7A8

Father Shoots Son In Self-Defense

Harkers Island, South Carolina

From the October 9, 2009 South Carolina News-Times:

BEAUFORT — No charges will be filed against the Harkers Island man who fatally shot his son in his home recently.

The County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday that District Attorney Scott Thomas would not file charges against Cleveland Hackworth, 67, who shot and killed his son, Blake Hackworth, 45, in an incident at the family residence on Harkers Island on Sept. 27.

Mr. Thomas was unable to be reached for comment by presstime.

According to Capt. Jason Wank, based upon the facts and the law, Mr. Thomas reviewed the sheriff’s department’s case and concluded the incident was a justifiable homicide and that no criminal charges will be filed against Cleveland Hackworth.

The incident occurred following a day of aggressive behavior by the son that included attempted assault on his mother and his threatening to kill her.

“Family members said Mr. Hackworth had been exhibiting combative behavior for most of the day when the shooting took place,” Chief Deputy Ken Raper said at the time of the incident.

Police reports stated Blake Hackworth died Sept. 27 from the head wound he sustained after his father shot him as the junior Hackworth attempted to attack both his father and his mother, Peggy Hackworth.

South Carolina: Robber ends up running for his life after Hilton Head home owner shoots at him

Hilton Head, South Carolina

From the Island Packet of September 23, 2009

Robber ends up running for his life after Hilton Head home owner shoots at him

A man stealing a coin collection in a Hilton Head Plantation home at noon Wednesday found himself running for his life after the homeowner shot at him and chased him out of the house.

The unidentified man, who was armed with a large stick or club, broke into a house on Teal Lane while the residents were inside, according to a news release from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

The intruder entered through the unlocked front door and walked down the hall into a bedroom, where he started stealing a coin collection, according to the release. The owner confronted the robber, who threatened the owner and kept taking the coins, according to the release.

The owner ran to another room, grabbed a handgun and chased the robber. The owner fired a shot and missed, and the robber drove off in an SUV. Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cpl. Robin McIntosh said she did not know if the shot was fired while they were inside or outside the home.

The homeowner fell while chasing the robber and suffered minor injuries. His wife, who also was home, was not injured, according to the release.

The homeowner told Hilton Head Plantation security officers the robber fled in a 1990 or 1991 green or turquoise Ford Explorer driven by a second person.

The intruder dropped some of the stolen coins as he ran off, according to the release. The collection was estimated to be worth about $150, a Hilton Head Plantation official said.

The robber is described as white, in his mid-20s, about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with light brown hair, according to the release. He was last seen wearing khaki cargo shorts and a white, long-sleeved shirt with multi-colored stripes.

A car matching the description of the SUV was caught on video exiting the community's Cypress Gate around noon, according to a Hilton Head Plantation release.

Roadblocks were set up at that gate and the main gate, but security officials believe the robber had already left, the release said.

Peter Kristian, general manager of Hilton Head Plantation, said Wednesday afternoon it's not clear how the suspects got inside the gated community.

He said no guest passes had been issued Wednesday for Teal Lane, and the robber might be a contractor or plantation employee.

Plantation security officials were cross-referencing employee decals and gate passes with the getaway vehicle's description Wednesday afternoon, Kristian said. They also were searching surveillance tapes, he said.

Security officials suspect the intruder was trying to open unlocked doors in the neighborhood and thought the Teal Lane home was empty, Kristian said.

South Carolina: Fort Mill homeowner fires shot at intruder

Fort Mill, South Carolina

From WCNC of August 20, 2009

Fort Mill homeowner fires shot at intruder

One minute a Fort Mill father was watching cartoons with his 2-year-old son. The next minute he was aiming a pistol at an intruder.

It happened in the Avery Lake subdivision off Steele Street in Fort Mill just after 8 p.m. Wednesday.

"Even today I feel sick to my stomach," the victim told NewsChannel 36.

It was just a regular Wednesday night, the 24-year-old said, when he suddenly found himself defending his and his son's lives.

"I heard the glass shatter," he said.

The man asked not to be identified to protect his family's safety.

"When I heard the noise, I called 911," he said.

The noise was a burglar who had bashed in the back sliding glass door with a boulder from the yard. Police believe the intruder thought no one was home.

The homeowner -- a former police officer who left law enforcement for the ministry -- hid his son in a closet and grabbed his pistol.

"I yelled a warning at him to leave. He didn't do it. He came walking toward me and I shot at him," the victim described.

The man said in all his time on the force he never once had to shoot at a suspect.

"If I hadn't pulled the trigger I don't know what would have happened to myself and my son," he said.

The intruder got away. Fort Mill police traced his tracks to a nearby school. Investigators said they hope surveillance cameras there may have video that will help them make an arrest.

Fort Mill, S.C. Resident Fires At Intruder

Fort Mill, South Carolina

From August 20, 2009 WCNC:

FORT MILL, S.C. -- One minute a Fort Mill father was watching cartoons with his 2-year-old son. The next minute he was aiming a pistol at an intruder.

It happened in the Avery Lake subdivision off Steele Street in Fort Mill just after 8 p.m. Wednesday.

"Even today I feel sick to my stomach," the victim told NewsChannel 36.

It was just a regular Wednesday night, the 24-year-old said, when he suddenly found himself defending his and his son's lives.

"I heard the glass shatter," he said.

The man asked not to be identified to protect his family's safety.

"When I heard the noise, I called 911," he said.

The noise was a burglar who had bashed in the back sliding glass door with a boulder from the yard. Police believe the intruder thought no one was home.

The homeowner -- a former police officer who left law enforcement for the ministry -- hid his son in a closet and grabbed his pistol.

"I yelled a warning at him to leave. He didn't do it. He came walking toward me and I shot at him," the victim described.

South Carolina: Man Shot Intruder, Turned Out To Be Neighbor

Lancaster County, South Carolina

From WSOC of August 14, 2009

Man Shot Intruder, Turned Out To Be Neighbor

Authorities said a homeowner shot and killed a teenager trying to rob him Friday morning. Turns out, that teenager lived right next door.

Lancaster County sheriff's deputies said 18-year-old Jarkevious Ingram walked out of the woods on Culp Street late Thursday night with two other men. One was wearing a ski mask and two of them, including Ingram, had guns, deputies said.

Detectives said they approached 34-year-old Ed Patterson Jr. who was just getting home. According to deputies, the three men demanded Patterson's wallet and his keys.

Patterson struggled for the gun and was shot twice, once in the stomach and once in the groin. He managed to wrestle the gun away and shoot Ingram, deputies said.

Ingram walked more than 100 yards down Culp Street and collapsed on Fahbian McCullough's front porch.

"I looked out and he was lying on the porch, and there was blood everywhere," McCullough said.

He said Ingram was his friend and was at his house nearly every day. He had heard gunshots, but didn't know what was going on until he opened the door and found Ingram.

"I asked him what happened, and he said, ‘Be quiet.' He wouldn't tell me," McCullough said.

Patterson was able to drive himself to Springs Memorial Hospital, and he was later flown to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Deputies said his injuries were not life- threatening.

Mikesheia Wade is Ingram's cousin. She was at his side at the hospital when he died.

"I was there with him the whole time. I was holding his hand. He wasn't doing too well," Wade said. "I don't think he did this. The truth is going to be different than what people think.”

Lancaster County sheriff's deputies said they don't yet know why it appears Ingram tried to rob his own neighbor. Cousins said the two families have lived next door to each other for more than a year.

Major David Belk said detectives are still investigating, and it's not known if Patterson will face charges.

Deputies said they did recover the gun, a .38-caliber revolver that Patterson left in his sport utility vehicle when he drove to the hospital.

South Carolina: Husband, wife hold off robber until police arrive

Charleston, South Carolina

From the SC Now of August 14, 2009

Husband, wife hold off robber until police arrive

An Horry County husband and wife fight off would-be robber inside their business.

According to a press release, a man tried to rob Ron’s Busy Corner, 5709 Juniper Bay Rd, Conway, Thursday afternoon when he placed a knife to the back of the store’s owner.

Police said Roger Lee Green, 34, of Galivants Ferry came into the store and pointed a knife to the back of the store owner while he was sitting at a table.

The owner stood up, struggled with Green, along with a customer, and took the knife away.

The owner’s wife was then able to get a pistol and hold the man there until police arrived.

Green is currently in J. Ruben Long Detention Center charged with Armed Robbery.

South Carolina: Again, a pizza, a robbery, a gunshot

Lexington, South Carolina

From The State of July 14, 2009

Again, a pizza, a robbery, a gunshot

A Papa John’s pizza delivery man shot and wounded a 17-year-old who called in a pizza order and then robbed him at a vacant house with a fake handgun, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department said.

The incident occurred July 5, but deputies delayed announcing it until Monday — a day after the teen was charged with robbery, and eight days after the shooting.

It was the second time in recent months that a pizza delivery man in Lexington County has shot someone trying to rob him.

The other incident was March 7, when a Pizza Hut delivery man shot and killed a 17-year-old assailant who was beating him. Deputies have arrested three other teens in that Irmo-area incident.

But neither pizza delivery man is facing charges, since authorities have ruled both shootings were in self-defense. The two delivery men carried concealed-weapon permits, deputies said.

In the most recent shooting, Sheriff James Metts is withholding the name of the pizza delivery man. He said Monday through a spokesman that deputies feared for the man’s safety — but would not give details of any threats.

The suspect, Raymond Antonio Metze, 17, of 212 Crestridge Drive, Lexington, was booked Sunday at the Lexington County Detention Center on charges of armed robbery and possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He is in jail under $100,000 bond.

A black BB pistol that resembled a semiautomatic handgun was used in the robbery, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman said.

Metze was at Palmetto Health Richland for more than a week, though details of his treatment were not released. He got out of the hospital Sunday night.

The July 5 shooting occurred in the Red Bank area of Lexington County, about a mile west of White Knoll High School.

According to warrants and reports from deputies, shortly before midnight, the 29-year-old delivery man — from Papa John’s on 3937 Platt Springs Road — brought pizza to 236 Crestridge Drive. The home was vacant.

After the delivery man knocked on the front door, a man came from the side of the house with what appeared to be a handgun and demanded cash.

The pizza delivery man gave him a little more than $200.

As the pizza delivery man left, the suspect kept pointing his fake pistol at him. Not knowing it was fake and only fired BBs, the pizza man pulled his handgun. It was real, a 9mm semiautomatic.

He fired one shot, wounding the suspect in his chest.

The suspect fled and the pizza delivery man called 911. Acting on a neighbor’s tip, deputies found the suspect within minutes, lying on a porch of a nearby house.

The suspect was airlifted to Palmetto Health Richland.

Metts said the unidentified pizza delivery man was not charged because he acted in self-defense. Deputies and the 11th Circuit solicitor’s office made the determination.

In the March shooting, pizza delivery man Christopher Miller, 43, from an Irmo-area Pizza Hut, voluntarily agreed to have his name released to the public, the Sheriff’s Department said.

The Papa John’s pizza man, a spokesman added, wants confidentiality.

South Carolina: Homeowner shot intruder, police say

Holly Hill, South Carolina

From the Times and Democrat of June 30, 2009

Homeowner shot intruder, police say

A security alarm went off at a Holly Hill accountant’s residence in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday, rousing the sleeping homeowner who grabbed his gunshot, confronted an intruder standing in his doorway and shot the burglar in the shoulder.

L. Glenn Littlejohn, 71, of 1244 Peake St. interrupted the suspect, Roosevelt Elmore Jr., at around 4:55 a.m. as Elmore stood in the doorway of Littlejohn’s home, according to police.

Holly Hill Police Chief Robert Wunderlich said an unarmed Elmore allegedly forced his way though a doorway into the kitchen of the victim’s home.

Littlejohn, after being awakened by the alarm, “grabbed his shotgun, went out the back door and went around to the side of the house where the suspect made entrance and confronted the suspect in the doorway,” Wunderlich said.

He said Littlejohn shot Elmore in his right shoulder with a 12-gauge shotgun. The wounded Elmore fled the scene, and Littlejohn called 911, the chief said.

Moments later, Wunderlich said, a 30-year-old male resident of Gilmore Avenue called law enforcement after observing a man with a gunshot wound standing on his front porch.

Wunderlich said the suspect ran nearly 300 yards from Littlejohn’s house before arriving at the Gilmore Avenue residence. Holly Hill officers were able to follow a trail of blood in tracing Elmore’s escape route from Peake Street to Gilmore Avenue, he said.

“He (Elmore) had several pellet punctures in the upper shoulder area,” Wunderlich said.

Officers recovered one spent three-inch shotgun cartridge from the scene. Sgt. Andy Myers said an unspent cartridge could contain 15 pellets. Wunderlich said Elmore had 14 puncture wounds. However, he said some of the wounds may be the result of shotgun pellets exiting the suspect’s body.

Emergency crews responded and transported Elmore by helicopter to the Medical University of South Carolina, where he underwent surgery on his shoulder, Wunderlich said. He said Elmore’s injuries didn’t appear to be life-threatening.

Elmore was charged with felony first degree burglary, Wunderlich said. If convicted, he could face from 15 years to life in prison, the police chief said.

Wunderlich said Elmore is also a “person of interest” in three previous reported burglaries at Littlejohn’s home in recent months – on Dec. 24, 2008, March 5 and April 10.

Wunderlich said Elmore’s criminal rap sheet is lengthy, including convictions for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, burglary and forgery.

The Times and Democrat attempted to contact Littlejohn; however, he was meeting with a client in Charleston at press time.

South Carolina: Armed robbery at Twisters Ice Cream Shop, suspect arrested

Bath, South Carolina

From WRDW of June 27, 2009

Armed robbery at Twisters Ice Cream Shop, suspect arrested

A man from Bath was arrested for robbing Twisters Ice Cream Shop on 421 in Bath just after 6:45 Saturday night.

Witnesses said the suspect walked into the store armed with a gun and demanded money from the employee. He was given an undisclosed amount before being confronted by the owner's son Shannon Labord.

The suspect shot at Labord hitting the counter. Labord fired back and chased the suspect while firing several more shots to a near by trailer.

23 year old Joey Taylor was arrested.

He is charged with armed robbery, assault and battery with intent to kill and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.

No one was injured during the incident.

South Carolina: Man Shoots, Kills Robbery Suspect

Richland County, South Carolina

From WLTX of June 12, 2009

Man Shoots, Kills Robbery Suspect

Richland County deputies are investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex.

The incident took place at 12:01 a.m. Friday at the Colonial Villa Apartments on Garners Ferry Road.

According to deputies, a man was sitting in his car doing paperwork at the time of the confrontation. Deputies say he provides security detail for the apartments.

Deputies say a male suspect approached the car demanding the victim's handgun; however, deputies say the victim pulled out that weapon and shot the suspect.

The suspect was taken to the hospital where he later died.

WLTX.com will post further details as they become available.