South Carolina police officer killed trying to serve warrant

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) – A South Carolina police officer was shot and killed Friday as he attempted to serve a warrant on a suspect who later killed himself, the chief said.

Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller said several officers were trying to serve a warrant on a man identified as a self-admitted gang member around 12:30 p.m.

Miller told a news conference that the suspect saw the officers, ran from them and opened fire, hitting one of them multiple times.

“Our officers who were here on the scene and to assist performed CPR on our officer and the CPR was unsuccessful,” Miller said.

Miller said the officer, whose identity hasn’t been released pending notification of his family, was pronounced dead at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

“When you lose an officer the community loses an officer,” Miller said. “I have come to know this officer and his work ethic and have found him to be an extraordinary person and officer and contributed to the police mission. He was as dedicated as anyone could be dedicated.”

According to Miller, the suspect called his mother before he shot and killed himself. The chief said two officers witnessed that shooting.

Miller said he would release more information at a news conference scheduled for late Friday afternoon.