Deputies involved in chase and shooting

While on patrol in the Concord area of Cherokee County, deputies met a Case 821, which is a large wheeled front end loader with front forks that weighs approximately 10 tons. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle but the suspect refused.

The driver ran into one of the patrol vehicles doing damage to the front of the vehicle and also tried to hit officers on foot.

Deputies chased the vehicle for approximately 3 miles trying to stop the heavy machine, at times by shooting at the wheels. The vehicle ran through two yards on Pleasant School Road causing damage to both.

The vehicle continued west on Pleasant School Road at approximately 15 miles per hour.

The machine turned into a residence at 973 Pleasant School Road. The suspect, using the forks on the front of the machine, picked up a vehicle in the yard. While the vehicle was in the air, the driver ran over an elderly man, who was living there and had come outside, killing him instantly. Deputies then shot the suspect who was still in the machine. The suspect later died from the gunshot wounds.

Agents from SLED are working the extensive crime scene and interviewing deputies. The Coroner's Office will release both names of the deceased at the appropriate time. No deputies involved were injured.