Deputies were called about a home break-in. When they arrived they discovered a family dispute. One of the family members involved in the dispute was brandishing a knife, according police. Deputies attempted to control the person holding the knife and used pepper spray, which was ineffective. Confrontation with the suspect continued and a deputy shot and killed Smith.
Victim's Name: John Wesley Smith
Agency Responsible: Dillon County Sheriff's Office
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Race: White
Date of Death: January 27, 2016
County: Dillon
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: knife
Threat Level: other
Fleeing: Not fleeing
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 1207
Geography: Rural