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GREENVILLE, S.C. (BFMG) — A South Carolina police officer is at home recovering after he was shot early Sunday morning outside the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center in what officials say was a targeted ambush.
The incident happened around 1:49 a.m. at the facility located at 4 McGee St. Police said the officer was seated in his patrol vehicle when a suspect approached and shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
The wounded officer was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. He has since been released and is recovering at home with his family.
Investigators were later able to identify a suspect believed to be connected to the ambush. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle within its jurisdiction shortly after the shooting.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has been requested to conduct an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. The Greenville Police Department said it is fully cooperating with SLED and will assist in the ongoing investigation.
Greenville County Coroner’s office identified the suspect as 42-year-old David William Lane of Greenville. They say Lane was found to have sustained at least one fatal gunshot wound and was confirmed and pronounced deceased at the scene at 4:26 a.m. An autopsy is planned for Monday. Additional information is expected as SLED’s investigation continues.
A video showing what is believed to be David Lane leaving his apartment earlier in the evening was posted to Facebook by journalist, Cody Alcorn.
He reports that he was sent an email about Lane from a neighbor who feared him, but Alcorn didn’t receive the email until Sunday. The sender stated, “I have a situation in Greenville County. There is a man that is mentally ill and has made several threats of killing people, shooting up an apartment complex and even the Greenville County police department. This man has been harassing people and even walking around the complex with guns and aiming it at people. Greenville County has been called out multiple of times. Greenville County will not do anything and is at this point waiting for him to act out before they will do anything. Greenville County is not protecting innocent civilians. Trust me this man has shown his true colors. He is going to act out and make national news.”
In a statement, GPD thanked its law enforcement partners — including the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, SLED, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, and the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office — for their support.
The department also expressed gratitude to the Greenville community for what it called “continued support and prayers” during the investigation.
The incident comes amid rising national tensions, with recent protests against federal immigration enforcement and widespread distrust toward law enforcement agencies across the country.
All inquiries related to the ambush and officer-involved shooting have been directed to SLED.
