Coroner identifies suspect in deadly officer-involved shooting in Easley
Officials said the suspect was armed with an axe and baseball bat, making threats
EASLEY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting that happened on Monday morning.
Viewers reached out to FOX Carolina about a large law enforcement presence near Prince Perry Road and Highway 153.
According to SLED, multiple 911 calls came in about a man armed with a baseball bat making threats, shoplifting and then leaving the Tractor Supply Company store.
Police said a manager of the store on Rolling Hills Circle confronted the customer who was attempting to steal merchandise. Officers said the suspect made threats to physically harm the manager.
Officials said the suspect went to his nearby home on Rolling Hills Circle and retrieved a gas can and was also armed with an axe. The caller followed the suspect, according to police, and the suspect threatened to pour gasoline on the caller’s car.
When officers arrived on scene, they said they attempted to de-escalate the situation. However, at least one officer fired their duty weapon, and the suspect was killed.
The Pickens County Coroner’s Office identified the suspect as 26-year-old Nicholas Elias Fernandez. He died from multiple gunshot wounds.
No officers were injured in the incident.
SLED is investigating the case, which is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.
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