wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Suspect in shootout with deputies charged with attempted murder

Suspect in shootout with deputies charged with attempted murder

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Investigators say a bullet fired by Frederick Wither's tore a hole in the jeans of one of the deputies, but did not touch his skin. Investigators say a bullet fired by Frederick Wither's tore a hole in the jeans of one of the deputies, but did not touch his skin.
Frederick Wither's (Source: Richland County Sheriff's Department) Frederick Wither's (Source: Richland County Sheriff's Department)

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RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WIS) - A drug suspect who Richland County sheriff's deputies say shot at them during the execution of a search warrant has been charged with attempted murder and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Investigators say a bullet fired by Frederick Withers tore a hole in the jeans of one of the deputies, but did not touch his skin.

"We're very fortunate tonight that I'm standing here talking about an incident where we don't have a law enforcement officer shot," said Sheriff Leon Lott.  "We very easily could have had one of our deputies killed tonight."

Deputy Curtis Wilson says narcotics officers were attempting to serve a warrant at Brook Pines Apartments off Broad River road at about 6:00 p.m. when Withers fired several shots at them.  Deputies returned fire and shot Withers in the torso.  He was taken to the hospital where his condition has not been released. 

"Their lives were in danger," said Sheriff Lott. "He actually fired the first shots at us, striking one of the officers.  Fortunately, it didn't hit the flesh. It just went through his pants leg and the arrest was made."

Withers was out on bond for an arrest in January. Sheriff Lott says Withers is a known drug dealer and was selling drugs in the apartment complex and along Broad River Road.

"He's a drug dealer, and that's the type of people we are after," said Lott.  "That's putting poison out on our streets.  But again, they're dangerous, they arm themselves and they don't think twice about shooting a cop."

After the shooting, investigators found a revolver and marijuana.

SLED is investigating the shooting.

Withers was treated at Palmetto Health Richland and released. He was then taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

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