09/11/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting that occurred shortly before 2:00 a.m. on September 10, 2026, at America’s Best hotel across from the Fairfield Emergency Room.
The investigation determined that three individuals left the emergency room and walked across the roadway toward the hotel, with one of those individuals armed with a handgun. As they approached the hotel, the armed individual observed a man he knew standing outside one of the hotel rooms. The man at the hotel was unarmed. Upon seeing him, the armed individual ran toward the unarmed man, and a physical confrontation immediately followed.
According to an eyewitness who was present during the entire incident, the armed individual attempted to strike the man in the head with the handgun during the confrontation. Surveillance video obtained by investigators confirms that the armed individual initiated the confrontation and shows the two men struggling while a second individual begins running toward them.
During the struggle, the man being attacked was able to gain control of the handgun and fired, striking the armed individual in the shoulder. The second individual continued advancing toward the man, who then fired again, striking that individual in the leg.
Deputies and EMS personnel responded and provided aid to both injured individuals. Both were transported to Prisma Health Richland Hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the individual who sustained the gunshot wound to the leg later died from his injuries.
Investigators conducted interviews, obtained and reviewed surveillance video, and compared the video with the accounts provided by those who witnessed or were involved in the incident. The evidence gathered during the investigation consistently showed that the individual who fired the shots had initially been attacked by an armed individual, gained control of the weapon during the struggle, and then used that weapon while the confrontation was continuing.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident should call Lt. Barry Gilbert at 803-635-4141.
