Winthrop students received a WU ALERT on Sept. 13 at 5:12 p.m. stating that there was a “shooting incident in the vicinity of campus at CVS on Cherry Road.”
The message said there were no subjects being pursued. It also advised students to avoid the scene while the investigation was ongoing.
Sheriff Kevin Tolson with the York County Sheriff’s Office posted a press release on Sept. 16 regarding the incident, which identifies Tyshawn Malik Benjamin as the offender. He was driving a stolen car from Charlotte, NC which prompted a car chase that resolved at the CVS Pharmacy on Cherry Rd.
The dash cam footage issued with the press release shows Benjamin weaving in and out of traffic throughout Rock Hill, and cutting through medians to avoid police.
Senior Deputy Korey Wedow fired at Benjamin three times after he crashed the stolen Hyundai into Wedow’s squad car several times while trying to leave the CVS parking lot.
Wedow was standing behind the open door of the police cruiser, preparing to confront Benjamin at the time.
Sabrina Cast, Coroner for York County, concluded that Benjamin died at the hospital as a result of his injuries.
Historically, South Carolina has had little to no state-wide policy on vehicle and foot pursuit situations.
The Department of Public Safety implemented a seven year plan back in 2015 that includes an early warning system and updated recordkeeping of documented policies and procedures pertaining to vehicle and foot pursuits.
The state of South Carolina does outline when these pursuits may be appropriate.
The policy as of July, asks officers to consider, “if the pursuit could have resulted in injury, death, or significant property damage, would a reasonable person understand why the pursuit occurred or was necessary?”
Expectations for how officers must conduct high-speed chases varies by county in South Carolina. However, York County’s vehicle and foot pursuit policy is not publicly available.
The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigates officer involved shootings (OIS) when requested by the agency involved. Agents gather forensic evidence and first hand accounts from the scene that may be used by prosecutors to find if the officer is at fault.
It is currently unclear whether an investigation will occur.
This incident was the first reported OIS in the York County Sheriff’s office this year, and the 24th OIS in South Carolina this year.
