SLED Investigating Officer Involved Shooting in Anderson County
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2026
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Monday, April 20, 2026, in Anderson County.
An Anderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy initiated a traffic stop outside of Townville, SC, on I-85 Northbound near Mile Marker 11 for a traffic violation. The driver was later identified as Austin Derrell Robertson, 32, of Pennsylvania. The deputy requested back-up and spoke with Robertson in the deputy’s patrol vehicle. When a second Anderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived, Robertson remained in the patrol vehicle. During the encounter, Robertson got out of the deputy’s vehicle and there was a physical altercation involving him and the two deputies. The deputies attempted to tase him. Robertson retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot one of the deputies. Both deputies returned fire, and Robertson was shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The deputy was airlifted to the hospital and remains there for treatment at this time. SLED was requested to investigate by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
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 Anderson County is the 11th officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2026.
This is the 1st officer involved shooting for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office this year.
In 2025, there were 45 officer involved shootings in South Carolina.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office had 2 officer involved shootings last year.
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For media inquiries, please email SLED’s Public Information Office: pio@sled.sc.gov
