COLUMBIA, S.C. — A law enforcement officer was shot early Sunday morning in the line of duty, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
The shooting happened at about 3:30 a.m. in Bamberg County, SCDPS spokesperson Heather Biance said.
A South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper was shot after initiating a traffic stop on U.S. 78, according to Biance.
Lance Cpl. B.A. Frazier pulled over a vehicle that was driving more than 20 miles per hour above the speed limit, Biance said.
At some point during the traffic stop, the driver began shooting at Frazier before driving away from the scene, according to Biance. A second trooper heard the driver’s vehicle description on a radio call and initiated a pursuit that ended in Orangeburg County when the shooter crashed his vehicle into a house, Biance said.
The trooper was taken to a hospital for medical treatment, Biance said.
“Frazier was shot on the right side of his face, but we are told that his injuries are non-life threatening,” Biance said in a release. Further information on Frazier’s condition was not available.
The trooper was “seriously injured,” according to Serve & Connect, a nonprofit organization that tried to foster positive change through police-community partnerships.
Frazier has been with Troop 7 of the Highway Patrol since 2018 and currently serves in Post A, which covers Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell and Hampton counties, according to Biance.
There was no word if anyone else was injured in the shooting, or if the gunman was hurt in the crash.
Information about the shooter, and a motive for the gunfire was not available. There was no word if any arrests have been made, or if there is a search for anyone involved in the shooting.
When announcing that the stretch of U.S. 78, from U.S. 321 to McKenna Lane, was closed because of the investigation, the Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting “was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community.”
Drivers in that area west of Denmark are asked to use an alternate route.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is leading the investigation into the shooting, according to Biance.
Spokesperson Ryan Alphin confirmed to The State that SLED was requested to investigate the shooting, but said any additional details will be available at a later time.
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