EUTAWVILLE, S.C. — State agents are investigating a deadly overnight shooting that happened in Orangeburg County and involved at least one officer.
Police Chief Sean Hopkins declined to comment but deferred to his attorney, Michael Laubshire, who was able to confirm some of the basics of the incident.
Laubshire said he understood the shooting happened during the 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. hours Thursday in the town of Eutawville. He also said the shooting incident did involve Eutawville officers.
And while the chief was involved, his attorney said specifics regarding how were not yet available.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has since confirmed that the shooting occurred after a Eutawville officer responded to a call and exchanged gunfire with a suspect, later identified as 27-year-old Tyler Mendez.
Mendez was struck and died at the scene, according to a statement from SLED. No officers were injured.
SLED is now handling the case as an independent investigative agency. Once complete, the details of the shooting will be compiled in a case fill and turned over to prosecutors.
Attorney Laubshire said there is not yet enough information to release an official statement on behalf of the police chief. He told News19 that the department currently employs about two officers.
SLED reports that this is the 23rd shooting involving an officer in South Carolina in 2022 and the first in Eutawville this year.
There were 40 shootings involving officers handled by SLED in South Carolina in 2021. None of them were in Eutawville.