A shooting took place on May 7th during a traffic stop in Charleston County, South Carolina, resulting in the death of one suspect and the injury of a deputy due to gunfire. The suspect has been identified by the Charleston County Coroner’s Office as James Rakeem Pierce, a 28-year-old man from Walterboro. The incident is being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
Keep reading the article to know more about James Pierce, the shooting accident, and the impact it left on everyone in the community.
Who was James Pierce? Know more about him
James Rakeem Pierce, a 28-year-old Walterboro resident, was the person who initiated gunfire towards two deputies from Charleston County during a regular traffic stop on Savannah Highway. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has verified his death at the incident location. Presently, limited information is available regarding his background or motives.
Why was James Pierce shot? Everything about the accident?
During the traffic stop on Savannah Highway, Deputy Evan Cubbage requested assistance from Deputy Alexander Hodge, who was the sole deputy on patrol in the Ravenel area at that time. The situation escalated when Cubbage instructed James Pierce, the passenger, to exit the vehicle. At that instant, Pierce initiated gunfire toward the two deputies, resulting in a firefight.
Deputy Cubbage, aged 36, sustained three gunshot wounds during the exchange but managed to retaliate, ultimately causing the demise of James Pierce. Despite being injured, Cubbage’s wounds were deemed non-life-threatening. Analysis of the dashcam footage disclosed that even after being wounded, Pierce continued to fire from the ground until he met a fatal end.
Deputy Alexander Hodge, aged 34, swiftly arrived at the scene following the initial stop to provide backup. Hodge also engaged in the exchange of fire with Pierce. Fortunately, he emerged from the incident unscathed.
The female driver of the vehicle, whose identity has not been released, cooperated with the deputies and exited the car with her hands raised. She was not injured in the shooting but was detained for further investigation. The specific charges she may face have not been disclosed.
According to the Charleston County Coroner’s Office, James Rakeem Pierce, a 28-year-old individual from Walterboro, lost his life at the scene of the incident due to a gunshot wound. This occurrence represents the first officer-involved shooting in Charleston County this year.
At present, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is actively investigating the incident. The sheriff’s office intends to make available the dashcam footage related to the event during the upcoming week.
Also read: Rebecca Mutali dead and obituary
Social media reactions
Shamora McMurray expressed her concern over the incident in a Facebook post, stating that upon watching the video without sound, one might believe the passenger was prepared for a confrontation. However, after watching the video with sound, the conversation between the driver and the officer seemed to be about the car’s paperwork. There was a moment of silence, and the officer became upset with the passenger for not vocalizing the issue. McMurray mentioned that the traffic stop appeared to involve some form of profiling. She expressed mixed emotions about the incident, noting that the young lady seemed saddened and shocked by the events unfolding. McMurray also mentioned that the young lady cooperated with the officer throughout, even showing concern for the well-being of both the passenger and the officer. However, she claimed that the young lady was told to be quiet and get down, which left her astonished.
The community in Charleston County, South Carolina, has been deeply affected by the recent shooting incident that took place during a routine traffic stop on Savannah Highway. The loss of James Rakeem Pierce’s life and the injuries suffered by Deputy Evan Cubbage highlight the inherent dangers faced by law enforcement officers in their daily work. As the investigation progresses, we look forward to obtaining a clearer understanding of the factors that led to this tragic event.
We trust that this article has presented a comprehensive summary of the incident and its aftermath. We invite you to share your valuable thoughts and perspectives in the comment section below.
FAQs
Who is James Pierce?
James Pierce was a 28-year-old resident of Walterboro who fired shots at two Charleston County deputies during a routine traffic stop on Savannah Highway.
Why was James Pierce shot?
James Pierce was shot by Deputy Cubbage after initiating gunfire towards the officers.