An Anderson County sheriff’s deputy is alive and recovering after being shot during a traffic stop along Interstate 85 on Tuesday afternoon, according to Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride. The deputy, described as a master deputy, was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital following the shooting, which occurred near Exit 11 in the Townville area, not far from Lake Hartwell.
According to Sheriff McBride, the deputy sensed something was wrong during the traffic stop and called for backup. A second deputy arrived shortly thereafter. The situation escalated into a shooting in which the deputy was struck in the chest. The first deputy then returned fire, killing the suspect at the scene. The incident unfolded rapidly along one of the busiest transportation corridors in Upstate South Carolina.
McBride told reporters that while the deputy’s injuries are life-threatening, the prognosis is positive. Law enforcement officials credited the backup deputy with playing a critical role in the outcome. Officers from multiple agencies responded to the scene, with blue lights visible across a wide stretch of I-85 as investigators worked to secure the area and piece together the sequence of events.
The shooting drew immediate expressions of support from law enforcement agencies across the Upstate region. Interstate 85 is a critical artery for Spartanburg County and the broader Upstate SC economic corridor — used daily by BMW suppliers, Michelin logistics operations, and tens of thousands of commuters traveling between Spartanburg, Greenville, and Anderson counties. Traffic disruptions along the route affect the entire region.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and is expected to release additional details, including the identity of the suspect, as the inquiry proceeds. Community members and law enforcement colleagues have been encouraged to keep the injured deputy and his family in their thoughts as he continues his recovery at Greenville Memorial.
What’s Happening in Spartanburg
- What happened on I-85 involving the Upstate deputy?
An Upstate SC sheriff’s deputy was shot during a traffic incident on I-85 and transported to a regional trauma center, where officials say he is alive and recovering. - What is the deputy’s current condition?
Law enforcement officials described the deputy as stable and on the road to recovery, with colleagues and community members rallying in support. - Is a suspect in custody?
Investigators are actively working the case; updates on any suspect or charges are expected from the sheriff’s office as the investigation progresses.
