Officials: Critically-Wounded Deputy Taken Off Ventilator, Talking To Family

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Two days after longtime Berkeley Co. Deputy Will Rogers was shot by a masked gunman multiple times, his condition appears to be improving.

County officials say that Rogers has been taken off of a ventilator and is now beginning to speak and recognize family members.

While doctors are cautiously optimistic, officials say that Lt. Rogers is still considered in critical but stable condition.

Berkeley County councilman Tommy Newell was one of the first people who rushed to MUSC after Rogers was airlifted to the hospital on Thursday night.

“I was there there the night, or the morning, the doctor came out and said they had taken the bullet out of his head, the bone fragments out of his brain and they took a flap out of his skull to help with swelling,” stated Newell.

Authorities say Rogers was struck multiple times and the gunman fled the scene in a stolen SUV that was later found at a boat landing not far from the crime scene.

Since the shooting, the community has come together in support of Rogers and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. Recently, the sheriff’s office expressed its gratitude on Facebook.

“The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office would like to sincerely thank everyone for their continued thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time,” read the post. “We are so proud to be a part of such an awesome community. There’s no better place than Berkeley County. Please continue to pray for Lt. Rogers and his family.”