Coroner identifies hatchet-wielding man shot by police

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A man accused in a deadly Dorchester County standoff was identified Saturday morning.

Robert S. Rose, 35, of North Charleston was taken to Trident Medical Center after he was shot during a standoff with law enforcement Friday.

Dorchester County Coroner Paul Brouthers said Rose was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly before 4:30 p.m.

The Department of Mental Health requested the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office to transport a patient to a mental health facility; however, a fight ensued, and the subject assaulted a deputy with a hatchet, according to Sheriff Sam Richardson.

The situation evolved into a barricaded suspect incident and additional agencies were called in to assist, including the North Charleston Police Department’s SWAT team.

“At approximately 3:55 PM, the situation escalated when the subject exited the residence through a window and approached the outer perimeter, armed with a hatchet in each hand. Despite clear and repeated commands from our officers to drop the weapons, the subject did not comply. As a result, our officers discharged their weapons to prevent further threat to the surrounding public,” said North Charleston Police Chief Ron Camacho in a statement Friday night.

Rose was struck and authorities quickly rendered aid on the scene before he was taken to the hospital.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office are investigating.