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Cops In Deadly Shootout With Suspected Sex Offender
Published 3 years ago
Body-worn camera footage released by the Greenville County, South Carolina Sheriff's Office shows a deadly shootout that occurred on Feb. 18, 2021 between officers attempting to carryout an arrest warrant and a subject armed with a pistol and a rifle.
Officers arrived to arrest William Clayton Blackwell, 39, on charges of 2nd and 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct, incest, and child neglect. As they approached his mobile home, Blackwell was observed outside near a vehicle. The officers gave him commands to comply with the arrest, but Blackwell suddenly produced a handgun and retreated to the back of the mobile home.
The officers fanned out and approached with caution, using what cover they could find along the way. The next time Blackwell was visible, he was armed with a rifle. He attempted to flee, fired at the officers, and then took up a prone position.
It was at that point that the officers fired back, striking Blackwell. The responding officers weren't sure of the suspect's condition and waited for a K-9 unit to arrive. The dog handler sent the dog check the suspect's responsiveness and then approached to disarm and attempt to treat Blackwell's injuries. Blackwell was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.