911 recordings: Darlington County deputy whose gun accidentally fired was investigating report of suspicious people outside business

Dec 13, 2023

by: Kevin Accettulla

Posted: Apr 16, 2023 / 02:05 PM EDT

Updated: Apr 17, 2023 / 02:55 PM EDT

DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A Darlington County deputy who was disciplined after accidentally firing his weapon on April 11 was investigating a report of suspicious people walking around a business with a flashlight near Lamar, according to the Darlington County Sheriff's Office.

His gun went off while he was trying to enter the business, the sheriff's office said. News13 is still working to learn how the deputy was disciplined and whether proper protocol was followed during and after the incident.

According to 911 recordings obtained by News13, the incident took place after a caller reported seeing two people with flashlights at a building across from The Barn of All Trades on Lee State Park Road west of Lamar.

Despite the caller telling dispatch multiple times that the people were across from The Barn and not at The Barn, the dispatcher can be heard on the recordings dispatching deputies to The Barn itself, which is where the deputy's gun then went off.

The Barn does powder coating, metal fabrication, sandblasting, welding, metal art, machining and custom signs and graphics, according to its website.

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