Suspect Identified in Deadly Shooting on I-20 in Aiken County
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the man involved in a police pursuit with an Aiken County deputy last night on I-20.
Authorities say 43-year-old Robert J. Johnson II of Beech Island was pronounced dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy will be performed Friday in Newberry.
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office says the incident began at 6:15 p.m. when a deputy tried to stop Johnson in the westbound lane of I-20 at mile marker 9. Johnson reportedly fired shots as he tried to elude the deputy, but no one was injured.
The deputy utilitized a PIT maneuver that caused Johnson’s vehicle to crash into the guardrail. Johnson barricaded himself in his vehicle, then reportedly shot himself.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has been called to investigate. Authorities have confirmed that no shots were fired by law enforcement officials involved in the incident.
