Sheriff’s Deputies clear scene after report of a shooting near Gilbert proves to be unfounded

Gilbert, SC 01/11/2023 (Paul Kirby) – Deputies from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County’s EMS, and the Lexington County Fire Service were dispatched to a report of a shooting in the 2400 block of Old Charleston Road near Gilbert Tuesday night. The call was dispatched at approximately 11:00 p.m.

Once the emergency responders arrived on location, the deputies secured the scene to ensure it was safe for the first responders and began interviewing the caller to better understand who or what had happened and who or what had been shot. Meanwhile, the first responders stood by until a shooting victim could be identified for the medical personnel to begin caring for. As deputies interviewed the alleged victim, he told them the following story.

According to the man, someone tried to pull a knife on him while he was out coyote hunting. He said that at some point, a person with the knife accosted him but was unable to connect with the knife and injure him. The coyote hunter then used a gun to fired four shots at the alleged knife wielding suspect. Emergency responders began a search of the area in the event that one of the rounds caught the attacker and wounded or killed him. After the search, it was determined that no victim or injured person was on the scene or in the vicinity. The deputies filed a report to document the call and all responders returned to their normal duties.

The motivation behind the call and the interesting tale is still unknown.