A Rock Hill, South Carolina man accused of shooting at police officers was charged following a standoff Saturday — and police continue to investigate another death related to the incident, according to the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Prince Demario Barber, 37, was charged with two counts of attempted murder in the police shooting, according to arrest warrants. He was also charged with murder after police found an unidentified body in his backyard.
York County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to a home on Tom Barber Road in Rock Hill, where a man was trespassing around 8 a.m. That man was later identified as Barber, according to the sheriff’s office news release.
Minutes later, deputies arrived at Barber’s home on Marshal Road, where they were shot at upon arrival.
One deputy returned fire, but no one was hit by bullets in the exchange, according to the sheriff’s office.
A York County deputy pulled a muscle while dodging gunfire and he is recovering from that injury, sheriff’s office officials said in the news release.
Following the gunfire, a four-and-a-half-hour standoff between deputies and Barber ensued.
Finally, around 12:37 p.m., York County Sheriff’s Office deputies convinced Barber to surrender.
When deputies searched the property, they found a dead body in the back yard, according to York County Sheriff’s Office officials. That body has not been identified.
“We are thankful that this incident was resolved peacefully and without great harm to our officers or the suspect,” said York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and our officers.”
Barber was immediately arrested and Booked at the York County Detention Center. He was denied bond.
SLED investigators found that Barber discharged his weapon with the intent to kill, according to arrest warrants.
The incident was the 44th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina this year.
In 2017, the Palmetto State set a record for the most officer-involved shootings in one year at 49. That year, the state had recorded 41 officer-involved shootings by Nov. 20 — which means SC is on track to set a record this year.
In 2019, there were 45 officer-involved shootings total in South Carolina, according to SLED.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR..
Mandy Matney is the news director at FITSNews. She’s an investigative journalist from Kansas who has worked for newspapers in Missouri, Illinois, and South Carolina before making the switch to FITS. She currently lives on Hilton Head Island where she enjoys beach life. Mandy also hosts the Murdaugh Murders podcast. Want to contact Mandy? Send your tips to mandy@fitsnews.com.
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