Joseph Horan V Obituary, Death – A man fatally shot by a Colleton County deputy has been identified as 32-year-old Joseph Horan V, according to the Colleton County Coroner’s Office.
The incident occurred on a Tuesday night in a parking lot off Sniders Highway near a Best Western hotel and a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. Walterboro police and Colleton County deputies responded to reports of a disturbance in the area, as stated by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Horan was reportedly vandalizing vehicles in the parking lot by slashing tires and breaking windows. The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office said they were called to assist local police in managing the situation.
When deputies arrived at the scene, one deputy confronted Horan and ordered him to drop the knife he was holding. However, Horan refused to comply and allegedly moved to attack the deputy. In response, the deputy fired their weapon, fatally shooting Horan, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office has requested that SLED conduct an independent investigation into the shooting, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings in South Carolina.
The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, though their identity has not yet been released. The investigation is ongoing.