SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — Summerville police were called to the scene of an "incident" on West Richardson and Old Postern Road Wednesday. SLED was also there following a report a man had been shot by a police officer.
SPD officials said it happened around 9:45 a.m. and that both an officer and suspect were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
They area was also closed to traffic until around 4 p.m. as SLED investigators worked the scene.
Officials say it all happened at a routine checkpoint.
We spoke to a man who went through the checkpoint minutes before the shooting. Raynard Smith said a blue Buick fled from the area and police started shooting. He said police first ran after the car but then pulled weapons when it didn't stop.
We haven't been able to determine how many shots were fired. Smith said he saw at least 15 shell casings on the ground.
"I saw this in a movie one time where you see a gun and fire is coming from it, but to see it in real life is real terrifying," Smith said. "When you see that happening and you see officers walking towards something and shooting and loud noises, it's scary. A gun is a loud thing. If you've never heard a real gunshot before, it sounds like an explosion."
Smith said he watched police pull a woman from the passenger's side of the vehicle and arrest her. He said the man police pulled from the driver's seat had blood running down his arm. Smith said it didn't appear as if either of the officers were hurt.
Officials have identified the driver and suspect as 23-year-old Taylor Robert Johnson (photo above) of Summerville. He's charged with two counts of attempted murder and more charges are expected.
We will update this story when more information becomes available.