SLED: Suspect in officer-involved shooting identified

SLED is investigating a chase that ended in the death early Saturday of a 24-year-old Ridgeville man, identified by Dorchester County Coroner Chris Nisbet as Shamir Terrel Palmer.

It started with reported gunshots and an escaping car, according to law enforcement officials. A state Highway Patrol trooper spotted and tried to stop the vehicle.

State Law Enforcement Division spokesman Thom Berry said the driver led law officers on a chase through Dorchester County.

Berry says the driver eventually slowed enough to let two people jump out of the car, then fired at the pursuing trooper’s car.

The suspect’s car crashed outside Summerville. Arriving sheriff’s deputies said they told the driver to drop what appeared to be a weapon, but fired the fatal shots when it didn’t happen.

Berry says SLED is now investigating its 31st case this year involving law officers.