Teen shot by Berkeley County deputy had illegal switch device on firearm: SLED

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – State agents released new details Friday surrounding a fatal deputy-involved shooting that occurred in Wando earlier in the week.

Berkeley County deputies were investigating a string of recent violent crimes that had taken place in the area Tuesday night when they initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle near Clements Ferry Road and Rivers Reach Drive.

An armed individual, later identified as 17-year-old Tyren J. Kinloch, got out of the stopped car and ran.

A deputy chased after Kinloch, and during this, Kinloch allegedly pointed a weapon at the deputy, according to Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis.

A deputy fired, and Kinloch was shot. Authorities attempted life-saving measures before he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Investigators found a handgun with an extended magazine and a switch near Kinloch, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). A switch is an illegal gun part that modifies a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic firearm.

No deputies were injured in the incident. SLED was asked to investigate the shooting by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, per state protocol.

This is the second officer-involved shooting for the sheriff’s office this year. The incident is the 15th in the state this year.

In 2024, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office reported zero officer-involved shootings, according to SLED.