SLED investigating officer involved shooting in Orangeburg County
Monday, Apr 1, 2024
Agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are investigating an officer involved shooting which occurred the afternoon of Friday, March 29, 2024, in Orangeburg County.
Officers with the South Carolina State University Police Department encountered a male subject attempting to drive onto campus. During the encounter, the male subject drove onto campus, away from officers at the entrance gate. Officers drove after the subject. During an encounter between officers and the male subject by the football stadium, an officer shot at the subject’s car. The subject suffered a graze wound, and at this time it is unclear if the wound was caused by a bullet or other material. The subject, later identified as Tyrik Willie Joe Pressley III, 27, was transported to the hospital for treatment, then charged by the South Carolina State University Police with Attempted Murder and Failure to Stop for a Blue Light, No Injury or Death – 1st offense. No officers were injured. SLED was requested to investigate by the South Carolina State University Police Department.
This is an ongoing investigation. As such, no other information about the case will be disclosed by SLED at this time.
SLED conducts law enforcement officer involved shooting (OIS) investigations at the request of the agency involved in the incident or the agency with jurisdiction. When requested to investigate an OIS, SLED’s goal is to conduct a thorough, independent criminal investigation as timely as is possible under the circumstances. SLED agents will conduct interviews with all potential witnesses in this matter. Further, SLED will collect all relevant evidence and will forensically test such evidence as needed. Information gathered in the SLED investigation of the incident will be summarized in a case file report to be submitted to prosecutors.
The incident in Orangeburg County was the 12th officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2024. This is the 1st officer involved shooting for the South Carolina State University Police Department this year. In 2023, there were 43 officer involved shootings in South Carolina. The South Carolina State University Police Department had no officer involved shootings last year.
