Coroner identifies man shot by deputy during warrant service

Lexington, SC - Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has now released the identity of the man who was fatally shot by a Lexington County Sheriff's Deputy this morning. According to Fisher, Mr. John Bittle, 39, of Lexington was pronounced dead at the scene as the result of a gunshot wound.

Bittle was shot at approximately 8:30 A.M. on May 9, 2017 in the 200 block of Seleta Circle, near Pond Branch Road. Deputies say he turned on them and was armed when he was shot. They were chasing him after attempting to serve him with a warrant for his arrest on drug charges.

According to Coroner Fisher,. An autopsy has been scheduled for May 10, 2017. The investigation by SLED is ongoing.