Holly MatkinSpartanburg County, SC – A South Carolina deputy was ambushed and fatally shot while responding to a domestic disturbance on Tuesday, according to police.
The incident began at approximately 3:20 p.m. on June 21, after the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) received a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence on Chaffee Drive in the Oak Forest subdivision, SCSO Lieutenant Kevin Bobo said, according to WYFF.
SCSO Deputy Austin Derek Aldridge, 25, responded to the scene and was approaching the home when a gunman opened fire on him, police said.
“He was ambushed,” Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright told reporters on Tuesday night. “He was shot.”
The suspect fled the scene just before neighbors ran to help the wounded deputy, WYFF reported.
“I headed back in and called 911 and let them know there was an officer shot and we need assistance now,” one witness told the news outlet.
Additional deputies raced to the scene to secure the area in order for emergency medical personnel to reach the wounded hero, WYFF reported.
Meanwhile, another deputy spotted the suspect’s vehicle traveling down Anderson Mill Road in the direction of Highway 290.
Lt. Bobo said the suspect acted as if he planned to surrender during the ensuing traffic stop, but that he then opened fire on the deputy, WYFF reported.
The deputy returned fire, hitting the gunman twice, Sheriff Wright said.
The sheriff said the deputy was “by himself for a while” while other deputies were responding, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported.
“After knowing this guy had done what he did, he didn’t back up at all,” he said of the deputy. “He kept trucking, he kept going.”
Despite his wounds, Heard continued driving down Anderson Mill Road and later crashed just prior to reaching the Highway 290 intersection, according to Lt. Bobo.
The suspect allegedly opened fire on deputies yet again and took off running into the woods.
No other deputies were injured during the exchange of gunfire, according to WMBF.
Deputies established a perimeter and dispatched SWAT and K9 units to search for him, WYFF reported.
They ultimately located Heard lying on the ground next to a rifle, Sheriff Wright said.
“Our men showed great restraint knowing that one of our guys had just been ambushed without firing any shots at him. They just arrested him,” the sheriff told reporters. “We are the good guys. We do it right and we did it right. I just ask you to pray for our deputy.”
Heard was transported to the hospital in unknown condition, WYFF reported.
Sheriff Wright said he is expected to survive, according to WMBF.
Deputy Aldridge succumbed to his wounds at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center shortly before 9:30 p.m., Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger told WYFF.
“Please keep the family of Deputy Aldridge and his extended family at the Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers during their time of loss and grief,” Clevenger said, according to WYFF. “Deputy Aldridge‘s widow and family have asked for privacy in the initial stages of her grief.”
Deputy Aldridge served the SCSO for approximately three years, The State reported.
“He was a really good young man,” Sheriff Wright said, fighting back tears.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is handling the ongoing investigation into the deadly shooting, WYFF reported.
The Spartanburg County Coroner announced deputy Austin Derek Aldridge died last night after responding to a domestic call. He was 25 years old & with the Spg. Co. Sheriff’s Office for three years.💔🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/wIA9sZ7zAv
— Victoria Carmen (@vcarmentv) June 22, 2022
Constable Mark Herman's Office sends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of 25 year old Spartanburg County Deputy Austin Derek Aldridge who was ambushed and killed yesterday while responding to a domestic violence call.
Rest in peace brother. 💔 pic.twitter.com/wVqXKPjDSa
— Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 (@Pct4Constable) June 22, 2022
Sheriff Koon and all of us at @LCSD_News are heartbroken over the news Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright has shared tonight. His agency needs prayers as they mourn the loss of a deputy.
We stand with our brothers and sisters in blue as they face the days ahead. #eow pic.twitter.com/uGO6Yns2iV
— Lexington Sheriff (@LCSD_News) June 22, 2022
Saluting the staff at the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office on the tremendous loss of Deputy Austin Aldridge. 📸 @fredontv @WSPA7 pic.twitter.com/AS7acI46GN
— Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) June 22, 2022
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