A Lexington County deputy working security at a gun and knife show near Columbia was shot Saturday afternoon. He fired back and killed the man who shot him, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
The shooting happened Saturday, Nov. 14, at Jamil Temple on Jamil Road, just off Interstate 26 near St. Andrews Road in the Harbison area. The South Carolina Arms Collectors Association was holding its weekend gun and knife show there.
Based on early information, the sheriff’s department said a person attending the event shot the deputy. The deputy returned fire and hit the man, who died.
The deputy was taken to a hospital and went into surgery. His medical team said he was in stable condition. Sheriff’s spokesman Adam Myrick said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Officials have not released the name of the deputy or the man who was killed. They also have not said what led to the shooting.
The show’s own rules, posted on its website, ban loaded guns inside except for those carried by on-duty police officers. All weapons brought in must have their actions tied and secured.
Dozens of police vehicles from Lexington County, Columbia, Richland County and the S.C. Highway Patrol filled the temple grounds after the shooting. Roads nearby were closed for a time, and traffic backed up on I-26.
Jamil Temple is owned by the Shriners and is often rented out for gun shows, jewelry expos and other events.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating, which is standard practice whenever an officer fires a weapon.
Source: Associated Press via Washington Times, WIS, The State via Yahoo News, Cola Daily
