WJBF

Aiken County Sheriff’s Deputy shoots, kills unarmed man, believed he had weapon

Shawn Cabbagestalk and D.V. Wise

#Update | May 23, 2022 (WJBF) – ACSO has issued an update on the officer involved shooting that occurred May 21st.

On May 21st, Sheriff Hunt requested the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to conduct an investigation in the officer involved shooting.

At the end of the vehicle pursuit, the rider, identified as Arthur Page II,slowed and veered towards the shoulder of the Interstate causing him to lose control of his motorcycle in the grass.

Page made attempts to run away from the motorcycle at which point he fell, turned over appearing to be armed with a weapon.

Shots were fired during this confrontation by the pursing deputy.

After aid was rendered to Page, it was confirmed that what he pointed at the deputy was not a firearm.

The deputy involved in the shooting is Christopher Owens.

He has been with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office since February 2021.

Deputy Owens is currently on paid administrative leave.

Sheriff Hunt released the following statement:

The facts of this case are being vetted and investigated by SLED which included the actions of our deputy and that of the decedent. We are fully cooperating and working on gathering all evidence that will to be turned over to SLED.As this case progresses,we are referring all questions about this independent and impartial investigation to SLED.

Sheriff Michael Hunt, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office

This incident in Aiken County was the 14th officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2022.

This is the 3rd officer involved shooting involving the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office this year.

In 2021, there were 40 officer involved shootings in South Carolina; there were 2 officer involved shootings involving Aiken County Sheriff’s Office last year.

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) — A deadly officer-involved shooting is under investigation in Aiken County.

Authorities say Around 12:43 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, a deputy initiated a traffic stop
with a Harley Davidson motorcycle by signaling with his overhead blue lights on East Pine Long
near Trail Wood Ave.

Police say the ride accelerated away from the deputy, never stopping.

He’s been identified as 58-year old Arthur C. Page II of Aiken.

The deputy pursued the motorcycle down Whiskey Road toward New Ellenton. The chase continued toward Beech Island on US Hwy 278, to Interstate 520, and onto Interstate 20 East.

The pursuit ended when the rider slowed and veered toward the shoulder of the Interstate
causing him to lose control of the motorcycle in the grass, authorities added.

Shots were fired during a confrontation with the rider. Deputies rendered aid to the rider. He died at the scene.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Newberry, S.C.

SLED is investigating the incident.