Midlands suspect shot multiple times after leading deputies on high-speed chase

A shooting involving four Richland County sheriff’s deputies sent a suspect to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, Sheriff Leon Lott announced.

Lott said the Tuesday arrest of Renardo Tyson, 23, followed a high-speed chase and shootout with deputies. Tyson now faces four attempted murder charges along with unlawful taunting, tormenting, beating, striking of or administering drugs to a police dog; discharging a firearm into a vehicle while occupied; possession of a weapon during a violent crime; unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon; possession of a stolen pistol; reckless driving; and failure to stop for blue lights and siren.

At around 1 a.m. Tuesday, deputies attempted to stop Tyson for speeding at North Main Street and Meridian Drive. Tyson fled, leading deputies on a high-speed chase for about seven minutes, before crashing at Monticello Road and Ridgedale Street, Lott said.

When deputies attempted to approach Tyson after the crash, he began firing at deputies, striking a patrol vehicle five times, using a stolen pistol.

Four deputies, including Cpl. Chaisson Porter, John Walantas, and K9 Specialists Bryan Hodge and Datron Washington, all returned fire and struck Tyson multiple times, Lott said.

“For those out there with guns that think they want to shoot at our deputies, just take this as a warning: If you point a gun and shoot at our deputies, we’re going to shoot back,” Lott said.

Lott said Tyson is expected to recover and will be transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center upon his release from the hospital.

This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM.