GRAPHIC: Deputies justified in using deadly force in shooting that killed suspect, sheriff says

GRAPHIC: Deputies justified in using deadly force in shooting that killed suspect, sheriff says

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office released a video in which the sheriff states deputies were justified in a deadly shooting that happened in January after the suspect pointed an object believed to be a gun at them.

Incident Details

On January 17, two women were found dead in a burning house in Greenville County. Deputies identified the suspect as 36-year-old Gary Whitten and the women were later identified by the coroner as his mother and girlfriend.

During the investigation, deputies learned, prior to the murders, a 911 call was made to dispatch on September 6, 2023, by a relative requesting a welfare check on Whitten due to recent concerning behavior and his expressed intention of dying.

Threats of Suicide by Cop

“He would never commit suicide by himself…but he would initiate something to be killed by the law….would provoke initiation by cops to shoot him,” said the relative to dispatch.

A second call was made by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office to the relative to get the cell phone number for Whitten. The Sheriff’s Office informed the caller that deputies were at the location to perform a welfare check on Whitten and wanted to know if that would be triggering for him due to his threats.

The relative also informed deputies that Whitten has said multiple times over the years that he would do suicide by cop.

Deadly Confrontation

Back to January 17, 2024, deputies found Whitten at a house in Landrum and began giving him verbal calls to come out of the house. Once Whitten came out the house, deputies said he had a chrome object in his hand, which turned out to be a shower head. However, at the time, deputies believed the object was a gun and opened fire killing the suspect, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Conclusion

The sheriff emphasized that the deputies were justified in using deadly force given the circumstances of the incident.