Suspect shoots himself during police standoff

SLED agents secure the suspet's pistol at the home of the standoff

A man who held police at bay for more than three hours Friday morning apparently killed himself after authorities fired tear gas into the Bath house he was inside.

The man, who has not been identified, fired three shots during the standoff, said Capt. Troy Elwell of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

Aiken County deputies were serving warrants for the Columbia County Sheriff's Department for the suspect who was at 130 Railroad St. in Bath, Elwell said. The suspects girlfriend, who was renting the home, allowed them, but deputies didn't enter because the suspect was inside, he said.

Authorities negotiated with the man from about 4 a.m. until 7 a.m. During that time two shots were fired, but authorities don't know if where those shots were aimed, Elwell said.

At 7 a.m. authorities fired tear gas into the house and a third shot was heard. About 15 minutes later S.W.A.T. members went inside and found the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Elwell said.

The suspect was wanted in Columbia County on several charges including possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, possession of a weapon by a felon, two counts of burglary, aggravated assault and armed robbery, Elwell said. He was also wanted in Richmond County on a probation and parole violation, he said.

The State Law Enforcement Division has been called in to look at the scene, Elwell said.

About 15 to 20 deputies were on the scene Friday morning, along with the Bath Fire Department and Aiken County EMS, he said.