The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after deputies were involved in an officer-involved shooting in North Columbia.
Deputies were called to the 2400 block of Hayward Brockington Road just before 6:00 p.m. Saturday, March 19 for a domestic call with a weapon.
As deputies arrived on the scene, the suspect, Irvin Moorer Charley (DOB: 8/13/1987) exited the home with what appeared to be a knife. Moorer Charley was given multiple verbal commands to drop the weapon. He advanced toward deputies and deputies continued to give verbal commands. Deputies then deployed a taser on Moorer Charley. Moorer Charley then charged at Deputy Zachary Hentz. Deputy Hentz feared for his life and deployed his gun, striking the suspect.
Deputies immediately rendered CPR on Moorer Charley for 20 minutes until EMS arrived on the scene. He was later pronounced deceased.
Sheriff Lott identified the deputies involved in the shooting as Zachary Hentz and John Anderson.
“This is a sad tragedy for all of those involved. Mental health is a serious issue in our community that has to be addressed. As much as we train our deputies and our crisis intervention teams, unfortunately, those in mental crisis sometimes resort to violence,” Sheriff Lott said. “We as a sheriff’s department and as a community will continue to address those with mental illness and give them the proper treatment they need.”