BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–According to the S.C. Law Enforcement Division, agents continue their work in the shooting investigation of Cpl. Kimber Gist of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department. Gist was shot during a confrontation with a man on Redbank Road, officials said.
“Anytime this happens, it shows just how dangerous the line of work we’re in,” stated Sheriff Duane Lewis during a press conference.
That man accused of opening fire on Gist has since been identified as 36-year-old Travis Smith of North Charleston.
Authorities say he has a prior criminal record including check fraud and forgery. At this time, authorities say they still aren’t sure what prompted the shooting.
Sheriff Duane Lewis stated that Gist had approached a suspicious vehicle behind a closed grocery story shortly before 12:30 a.m. As she detained Smith and conducted a background check, a fight began and shots rang out. Gist, who was wearing her protective vest, was struck multiple times.
“I tell folks all the time. We’re like a family and when something like this happens, it effects us all,” stated Lewis. “A lot of
people are praying for us and we appreciate that.”
Lewis stated that Gist remains in good spirits at Trident Hospital and is listed in serious but stable condition. About ten hours after getting shot, she posted the following message on Facebook:
“I’m alive. I fought. I made it,” she stated.
Charleston County Deputy Coroner Kimberly Rhoton confirmed that Smith ultimately killed himself inside a residence on Bexley Street in North Charleston. He reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Prior to committing suicide, a spokesman for the North Charleston Police Department stated that the SWAT team had surrounded his home during a standoff. Three other people were able to get out of the home.
Gist has been working working patrol for the sheriff’s office for about a year. Before that, she worked at the jail for several years. Originally from the Upstate, Gist has been pursuing a masters degree in criminal justice from a lowcountry college.
Information gathered in the SLED investigation will be summarized in a case file report to be submitted to prosecutors in the
Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. This is an ongoing investigation, according to SLED officials.
“No other information about the case will be disclosed by SLED at this time,” stated the agency in a press release. SLED will defer to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department for information about the deputy involved in the incident.”
According to SLED, this incident was the sixth officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2016 and the first this year involving a deputy of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department. In 2015, there were 48 officer involved shooting incidents in South Carolina; three involved the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.
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