SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Two gunmen were shot dead in separate episodes in South Carolina this weekend after officers responded to reported gunfire, authorities said.
In Spartanburg County, officers heard and saw shots fired when they arrived at a fight in a pool between drunk people at a home Sunday evening, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. said Johnathan McGill.
Officers and other officers negotiated with the man who shot for two hours, but he fired several more shots, then came out of the house with a loaded gun and quickly walked toward the officers, McGill said in a news release.
“Unfortunately, the officers on scene were forced to fire their weapons in response to the suspect’s actions,” McGill said. “At this time the suspect is deceased.”
Jason Chad Prosser, 43, died a short time after the shooting, the Spartanburg County coroner’s office said.
McGill did not say how many officers fired shots or whether investigators had determined who shot Prosser. No deputies were injured.
In neighboring Greenville County, a deputy shot and killed a man who fired shots into a house, Sheriff Hobart Lewis said.
Someone called 911 Saturday evening and an operator heard gunshots and arguments in the background, Lewis told reporters at the scene.
When officers arrived, the man shot into the house and refused to drop his gun, the sheriff said.
“Deputies challenged him and kind of tried to figure out what was going on. At one point, the suspect turned toward officers. One deputy fired,” Lewis said.
Ronald Dean Beheler, 55, died outdoors, the Greenville County coroner’s office said.
No deputies were injured, Lewis said.
The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating both shootings.