Updated 3:10 p.m.
A York law enforcement officer is in critical condition and three others are being treated in the hospital after being shot early today by a man who was being sought in a domestic violence incident.
The incident began when officers received a call about a woman being assaulted in a home on Farrier Lane, just outside York, shortly after 10 p.m. last night. The suspect, later identified as Christian Thomas McCall, 47 of York, had left the home on foot when officers arrived. Trent Faris, a spokesman with the York County Sheriff’s Department says the department’s K-9 unit was called in to search for McCall along with helicopter assistance.
“At 1:07 (a.m.) we believe the suspect fired shots, striking our K-9 unit officer,” Faris said. “He was hit near the home.”
The K-9 officer has been identified as Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Randy Clinton, a more than 34-year veteran with the department. He was transported to Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill by a fellow deputy and is awaiting surgery for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.
Faris says law enforcement units from surrounding jurisdictions joined the search for McCall. About two hours after Clinton was shot, Faris says more shots were fired and three officers were hit. Two of those officers were with the Sheriff Department’s SWAT team and one was a York city SWAT police officer.
They have been identified as 13-year-verteran Sgt. Buddy Brown and 12-year Det. Mike Doty with the Sheriff’s Department and Kyle Cummings, a three-year veteran with the York Police Department. All are in the hospital receiving treatment.
“Sgt. Mike Doty is very critical, hanging on for life,” said York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson. “We’ve had a lot of support, calls, texts, emails, folks coming by the office and we appreciate the public’s support for our officers. We need your continued prayers.”
McCall was also shot and is in in a Charlotte hospital. Tolson says he has no information about his condition other than that he may need surgery.
SLED, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, is handling the investigation but would not comment on the case.
York County Solicitor Kevin Brackett says after visiting the scene of the shootings and reviewing the evidence, he has advised police officials that they have probable cause to issue warrants charging McCall with three counts of attempted murder against Brown, Clinton and Cummings.
“I’ve advised them to hold off pending the outcome of his (Doty’s) treatment,” Brackett said. “His situation is so critical I felt it was not appropriate at this time to file a warrant regarding the shooting of officer Doty.”
Brackett is also recommending charges against McCall for using a weapon in a violent crime and a first-degree domestic charge against his wife. He says she her injuries are not serious stemming from the assault.
This is a breaking story. Stay with WFAE for updates.