A North Charleston Police Department report released on Thursday states
that there were two suspects involved in an incident on Wednesday where a
police officer was shot by his own gun.
Police Sgt. Eddie Bullard says he was trying to talk to someone in the
area of 6929 Rivers Avenue, which is the location of Carpet Wholesalers. A
police report states that another person came from behind the officer and
struggled with the officer's weapon.
Bullard said the first suspect took off after the officer fired a round
from his gun. According to Bullard, during the struggle with the second
suspect, he was able to drop his gun clip before he was shot. Several law
enforcement agencies went on a manhunt on Wednesday, but were unable to find
anyone. Bullard is now out of the hospital.
A spokesman for the North Charleston Police Department says Bullard was
hit in the lower area of his bullet-proof vest and is alert. He was taken to an
area hospital to be checked out. Bullard is a 15-year veteran with the North
Charleston Police Department.
Right now, officers do not have a good description of the suspect.
Dozens of officers canvassed Rivers Avenue and other areas around Interstate 26
looking for the gunman.
A helicopter and K-9s were used in the search.
Police are continuing the investigation.
Wednesday's shooting is the second officer-involved shooting in North
Charleston this year. Earlier this year, North Charleston Police Officer David
Winslette was injured in the line of duty. Winslette was injured on Jan. 14
while responding to a call. When he attempted to speak to a robbery suspect at
an El Cheapo Convenience Store.
Winslette was shot multiple times by the suspect, hitting him in the
upper chest portion of his body armor and knee. When officers responded he was
able to provide a description of the suspect and the direction the suspect
fled.
Last month Winslette received the Police Department's Purple Heart
Award. Police charged Timothy Darrell Johnson with the shooting.