Johns Island, South Carolina – A Charleston County Deputy Shot earlier this week after a vehicle pursuit survived after he was shot in the chest while wearing a ballistic vest. Deputies were first called to the 2900 block of Edenborough Road around 9 p.m. on Tuesday after a report of shots being fired. Deputies searched the area and spoke with the caller, but did not locate the suspect at that time.
The same caller reported the individual had returned to the area just before 3 a.m. on Wednesday. As deputies responded, they spotted a suspect vehicle at the intersection of Maybank Highway and River Road and attempted a traffic stop. A pursuit followed and ended near Edenborough Road and Caroline Lane, authorities said.
After the vehicle stopped, the suspect ran, deputies pursued on foot, and gunfire erupted during the encounter, the sheriff’s office said. Officials said the suspect fired at deputies, striking a Charleston County deputy in the chest. The deputy’s body armor stopped the round, and the deputy received medical attention at the scene before being released, authorities said.
The suspect was killed after deputies returned fire. The Charleston County Coroner identified the suspect as Floriberto Perez Nieto, 34.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is leading the investigation into the deputy-involved shooting. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Division will also conduct an internal review, and the deputies involved were placed on paid administrative leave, which the agency described as standard procedure.
Field Lessons are offered strictly as general, industry-standard reminders drawn from common safety practices and typical policy considerations. They are not based on any inside knowledge of this specific incident, do not presume what actions were taken, and should not be interpreted as commentary on the decisions made at the scene.
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Treat shots fired calls as high risk even after an initial negative search. Recontacting the scene can signal escalating intent and a returning threat.
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During pursuits, plan the transition point from vehicle to foot chase. Communicate roles, lethal cover positions, and containment lanes before the stop if possible.
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Our research indicates that 20% of all officers shot were engaged in foot pursuits. The sentinel cues before the shooting were concealed hands (front of the body), running with one arm tight to the body while the other arm is swinging, and target glances.
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I would caution any officer against engaging in a foot pursuit with a Taser in hand. They are rarely successful in that activity, and the transition to a firearm is significantly delayed. You don’t have time to observe sentinel cues and transition to a firearm. Our research showed multiple officers being shot in foot pursuits while holding tasers.
Dr. Travis Yates has pioneered a behavioral risk framework to help officers and leaders identify, assess, and articulate risk in rapidly evolving, uncertain situations. Find out more about the FOCUS Behavioral Risk Framework.
