Police fatally shoot man in Easley suspected of shoplifting from Tractor Supply Co. (2024)

EASLEY — At least one police officer fatally shot a man after an encounter at Tractor Supply Co. escalated involving the man, a manager and a 911 caller.

Officers arrived at the store off Highway 123 around 10:50 a.m. July 8 after someone called 911 to report a man threatening a manager who confronted him for allegedly shoplifting.

The man, who police have not identified, got into a car and drove to a home across the street on Rolling Hills Circle. The 911 caller, who had witnessed the one-on-one threats between the man and the manager, followed him to the home and the man threatened to pour gasoline on the caller’s car.

Department spokeswoman Lt. Ashley Anderson told The Post and Courier said the man did not damage the caller’s car, but the caller said he had retrieved the gas can.

“Officers arrived shortly after that and confronted the suspect,” Anderson said in an interview with Fox Carolina. “Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation. At least one officer did fire their weapon.”

Anderson could not confirm whether the man was armed. No officers were injured, she said.

The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating.

Less than three months ago, Easley officers shot and killed a man outside the neighboring Walmart after they said he was trying to steal ammunition from the store and armed himself with a hatchet.