For the third time in two days, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents are investigating an officer-involved shooting. After two separate incidents on Oct. 14 in York and Berkeley, a welfare check in Horry a day later ended with shots fired.
According to SLED, an Horry County officer fired at Kyle James Smith, 38, at a home after Smith allegedly pointed a gun at the officer. Smith was not hit and went back inside the residence, after which the officer fired a second time.
The incident escalated into a standoff, with additional officers and SWAT responding to the scene. Law enforcement learned a child was inside the home with Smith. No one was hurt after his surrender, and Smith was charged with pointing and presenting a firearm and unlawfully placing a child at risk.
The day before, a man in Berkeley County died on-scene after he was shot by deputies, and a man in York County was injured after his encounter with law enforcement.
Last year, South Carolina had 45 officer-involved shootings. The three October shootings bring this year's total to 34.
