News Summary
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two separate shooting incidents, one involving an injured woman and another involving a deadly deputy-involved shooting of an armed suspect. Community safety concerns arise as investigations continue.
Greenville, South Carolina – Ongoing Investigations into Multiple Shooting Incidents
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating two recent shooting incidents in the area, one involving a woman injured in a parking lot and another involving a deadly deputy-involved shooting of an armed suspect.
In the first incident, a woman was found with a gunshot wound in a parking lot on Cedar Lane Road at approximately 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Emergency responders received a 911 call that led them to the scene where the victim was promptly taken to a local hospital for treatment. As the investigation progresses, a person of interest has been identified regarding the shooting. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who may have information about this incident to contact them through 911.
Deadly Encounter with Armed Suspect
The second incident, which has garnered significant attention, occurred on Thursday when five Greenville County deputies were placed on paid administrative leave after a fatal shooting involving an armed suspect. The deceased suspect, identified as Johnny Andrew Collins Jr., 51, from Greer, was killed during an encounter with law enforcement around 12:11 p.m. Deputies were in the process of tracking Collins, who had outstanding warrants, when the confrontation took place on Collins Road.
During the encounter, Collins allegedly presented a weapon, prompting deputies to fire upon him. He was pronounced dead at the scene just minutes later, at 12:22 p.m. Remarkably, no deputies sustained injuries during this incident. Sheriff Hobart Lewis has confirmed the deputies’ status and has requested prayers for their well-being.
This tragic event marks the fifth deputy-involved shooting in Greenville County for the year. Collins had a criminal history that included previous charges of attempted murder and kidnapping, and he had escaped from home detention in October 2024.
Another Tragic Shooting Incident: The Case of Alex Foster
A separate and equally tragic incident took place earlier this year involving 18-year-old Alex Foster, a football player for Baylor University. Foster was shot multiple times on May 28 while sitting in a car at 1800 East Alexander Street. Police officers responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 12:11 a.m. and found Foster critically injured. Despite being transferred to Delta Health Center, he succumbed to his injuries just 35 minutes later.
The Washington County Coroner’s Office confirmed Foster’s death, which was a shock to many. Foster was in Greenville for the summer break and was due to return to Baylor in Waco, Texas, that same weekend. He was known for his impressive football career, having played a key role in his high school team’s multiple state championships and being highly rated as a recruit.
Following his unexpected passing, St. Joseph Catholic-Greenville, where Foster was previously enrolled, publicly expressed their condolences on social media, mourning the loss of a promising young man. Additionally, Baylor athletics released a statement conveying their sorrow and offering support to Foster’s family and teammates during this difficult time.
Community Response
These recent shootings have raised concerns within the community regarding safety and violence. As investigations continue, local authorities are committed to uncovering the details surrounding these incidents and ensuring justice is served. Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage the public to engage in discussions about safety and community well-being.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Deputies: Woman injured in Greenville shooting
- Wikipedia: Greenville, South Carolina
- WYFF4: Greenville County deputy-involved shooting in Greer
- Google Search: Greenville shooting
- WSPA: Woman found shot in Greenville Co. parking lot
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shooting
- Greenville Online: Man fatally shot by deputies in Greer
- Bing Search: Greenville gun violence
- Clarion Ledger: Alex Foster dies in shooting
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
