3 deputies on leave after fatally shooting man who pointed guns at them, SC cops say
Three Aiken County sheriff’s deputies who fatally shot a man they say was armed have been placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
The shooting happened just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The man who was killed was identified as Gregory W. Hallback, 44, according to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables.
Deputies were responding to a disturbance call at an Old Country Lane home in Aiken, according to the release. That’s about two miles from Exit 18 on Interstate 20 and is listed as Hallback’s residence by the coroner’s office.
When deputies arrived at the home, they encountered a white man, later identified as Hallback, who tried to run away through the back of the property, the sheriff’s office said.
While they were in pursuit, deputies said Hallback “presented two pistols” in their direction, according to the release. At that time the deputies fired multiple rounds and hit Hallback, the sheriff’s office said.
The deputies attempted “life-saving measures” before Hallback was taken to an area hospital, according to the release.
It was just about 11:30 p.m. when Hallback died from injuries caused by a gunshot wound while being treated at Augusta University Medical Centers, Ables said.
An autopsy is scheduled on Thursday in Newberry, according to the coroner’s office.
At this time it’s unknown how many shots were fired. The sheriff’s office has not said if Hallback fired his guns. No deputies were injured, SLED spokesman Tommy Crosby said..
All three deputies have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation by SLED, which the sheriff’s office said it called after the shooting.
Hallback has a criminal record that includes pleading guilty to weapons and drug charges, along with resisting arrest in 2016, Aiken County court records show. He received a prison sentence, along with community service and fines, according to court records.
In 1999, Hallback pleaded guilty to a drug charge and was given a five-year suspended sentence, along with probation and a fine, court records show. He was also charged with traffic violations, according to records.
This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 12:36 PM.
