News Summary
Two deputies from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office were injured during a training exercise when both were accidentally shot. The incident occurred at a vacant building, and preliminary findings suggest a potential error involving live ammunition. Both deputies are expected to recover, while the Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Community leaders are urging support for the deputies and their families as safety concerns regarding training protocols are raised.
Greenville, S.C. – Two deputies from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office were injured during a training exercise on Tuesday afternoon, July 29. The incident took place around 2 p.m. at a vacant building located at 2000 Wade Hampton Boulevard when both deputies were shot once each by a round.
Emergency responders transported the injured deputies to PRISMA Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment. One of the deputies required surgery for their injuries, while both are currently expected to recover fully.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Preliminary findings suggest the possibility of human error, indicating that live rounds may have mistakenly been introduced into the training environment. Experts on law enforcement practices note that live ammunition is not generally utilized during police training sessions to prevent such incidents.
Brian Grisham, a law enforcement expert, has highlighted the increased liability and safety concerns associated with the use of real weapons during training exercises. While critical incidents involving firearms in training are rare, there have been cases in the past where live rounds were inadvertently included, leading to serious safety breaches.
In response to the event, Sheriff Hobart Lewis has called for community support for the injured deputies and their families, urging residents to keep them in their thoughts and prayers. Greenville County Councilman Benton Blount has also voiced his concerns, emphasizing the need for a transparent investigation and offering support for the deputies’ recovery.
Discussions are ongoing about the involvement of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to review the situation further due to the firearm-related injuries sustained by the deputies. The investigation aims to uncover the specifics behind the introduction of live rounds into what should have been a controlled and safe training environment.
This incident has raised significant questions about training protocols and safety measures implemented by law enforcement agencies. Standard practice typically emphasizes the exclusivity of training with non-lethal or simulated weapons to ensure the safety of all participants and trainees.
As the internal investigation continues, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office is expected to provide updates and further details regarding the incident in the days to come. Community leaders and law enforcement advocates are closely monitoring the outcome, with a focus on ensuring such an incident does not occur again in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Injuries Reported in Greenville County SWAT Training Shooting
South Carolina Deputy Killed in Ambush During Arrest
Additional Resources
- ABC11
- Wikipedia: Law enforcement in the United States
- WIS TV
- Google Search: Greenville County Sheriff’s Office
- WYFF4
- Google Scholar: Police training protocols
- WLOS
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police training
- Officer.com
- Google News: Greenville deputies injured training
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.
