National Racial Justice Network to address officer-involved shooting

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The National Racial Justice Network will hold a press conference in North Charleston to address the recent officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a mentally ill individual.

The incident occurred Friday, Feb. 28, at an apartment complex in unincorporated Dorchester County.

The press conference will take place on Tuesday at noon in front of the North Charleston Police Department.

NRJN officials are advocating for enhanced law enforcement training to better handle situations involving individuals with mental illnesses.

The victim’s family will also be in attendance.

As previously reported, Dorchester deputies received a request from the Department of Mental Health around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, asking for assistance in escorting a subject to a mental health facility.

Deputies responded to the Waverly Place apartment complex, where they attempted to take the individual into custody. A fight later ensued and the subject assaulted a deputy with a hatchet, according to Sheriff Sam Richardson.

The incident evolved into a barricaded suspect and deputies requested North Charleston officers to assist.

A few hours later, the subject attempted to leave the residence through a window, armed with a hatchet in each hand. Officers commanded the subject to drop the weapons as they approached the outer perimeter, but the subject did not reply, according to North Charleston Police Chief Ron Camacho.

North Charleston officers then discharged their weapons “to prevent further threat to the surrounding public,” Chief Camacho explained. The subject was struck.

Officials say authorities immediately rendered aid and the subject was taken to a nearby hospital, where they died.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting, per standard protocol.