Florence County deputy fired during a chase; two men later charged

SLED says a Florence County deputy fired when vehicles briefly stopped on West Black Creek Road on Sept. 18 and the chase continued. WMBF reported the sheriff’s office account that a suspect pointed a gun after the car ran into a yard. WPDE later named Jalier Bethea and Jameare Nero, each charged with seven counts of attempted murder.

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On Sept. 18, 2026, a Florence County sheriff’s deputy fired during a pursuit on West Black Creek Road. SLED’s account, carried by The Dillon County News, The Post and Courier, The State, and WPDE, says the vehicles briefly stopped, the deputy fired, and the chase continued; a man was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening and released to the sheriff’s office. No deputies were hurt. SLED called it the 29th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina in 2026 and the second for the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. WMBF’s day-of report, citing the sheriff’s office, said wanted suspects’ car ran into a yard, they ran, one pointed a gun at a deputy, and the deputy fired; the office took two other suspects into custody. On Sept. 25 WPDE reported the sheriff’s office charged Jalier Sequan Bethea, 24, and Jameare Lorenzo Nero, 21, each with seven counts of attempted murder, plus weapons charges. Nero also faces failure to stop for a blue light, driving under suspension, and robbery. Both were held at the Florence County Detention Center.