From our news services
A Hyde County Sheriff deputy killed an armed suspect in Swan Quarter on Tuesday following a standoff at a home in the 1400 block of Main Street.
A press release issued by Hyde County said that sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call at 2:50 p.m. in which the caller stated her ex-husband had kicked in her door and was armed with a gun.
When deputies arrived, they encountered 67-year-old Willie Blount standing on the front porch of the house armed with a .22 rifle.
Blount ignored numerous verbal commands to drop his weapon and refused to surrender. After an approximately 10-minute standoff, Blount pointed his rifle at the deputies on scene and was subsequently shot by Deputy William Waters, a 10-year veteran of the sheriff’s office.
Blount died at the scene. No one else was injured.
Hyde County Public Information Officer Donnie Shumate said the roads at Route 264 and Main Street were roped off for several hours after the incident.
At the request of Sheriff Guire Cahoon, the State Bureau of Investigation will investigate the officer-involved shooting, and the Hyde County District Attorney will review all investigative findings.
Per standard protocol, the deputy will be placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
