Man who shot at Richland County deputies faces charges of attempted murder
The man who allegedly fired on Richland County deputies Saturday faces multiple murder and weapons charges, Sheriff Leon Lott said Monday.
Roger Hale, 59, will be charged with two counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, receiving stolen goods and weapons violations, Lott said.
Hale fired on deputies at a home in the 1700 block of Faraway Drive in the northeast part of the county late Saturday, according to Lott. A woman there told deputies she wanted Hale, her father, to leave.
Deputies went into the house to talk with him, but he would not cooperate, Lott said.
When deputies left the house to talk with Hale’s daughter again, they heard a gunshot inside the house.
Deputies surrounded the building and tried to calm Hale, Lott said. About 90 minutes later, he came out on the back porch and fired a pistol at two deputies. The officers shot back, striking him.
“The deputies recall one bullet landing right between two deputies before they returned fire, so they were very lucky,” Lott said.
The deputies involved remain on duty, he said.
Hale fired multiple times before his gun with a laser sight jammed, Lott added. Hale was taken to Palmetto Health Richland for medical care.
The FBI is investigating federal weapons violations and claims by Hale’s family members that he was involved with white supremacist groups, Lott said. Hale also has a criminal record dating back to 1976, including felony arrests and assault charges, according to Lott,
Hale was prohibited from owning a firearm and the gun that officers say he fired Saturday was stolen from West Columbia in 2012, the sheriff said.
The most recent shooting involving county deputies was Aug. 5, 2014, according to the State Law Enforcement Division.
The shooting is the 46th involving officers in South Carolina this year, the highest level since 1999, according to SLED records.
Glen Luke Flanagan: 803-771-8305, @glenlflanagan
This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 12:48 PM with the headline "Man who shot at Richland County deputies faces charges of attempted murder."