YORK COUNTY, S.C. —
The South Carolina Highway Patrol said a trooper was involved in a shooting Sunday night during a traffic stop.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety said the incident started around 7:45 p.m. near Mount Gallant Road and Lexie Lane near Rock Hill.
Investigators said Trooper Paul Wise attempted to stop a driver for no seat belt, but the vehicle drove off, starting a short chase.
The chase eventually stopped on Inda Hook Road when the driver hit the gate at Camp Canaan Campground, authorities said.
Once the car was stopped, the driver got out of the vehicle and started firing at the trooper, troopers said.
Wise returned fire and both he and the suspect were hit in the exchange of gunfire, investigators said.
Both Wise and the suspect were taken to the hospital with injuries that authorities said were not life-threatening.
Wise was struck by gun fire with a round hitting his bullet-proof vest, troopers said. They said he was released from the hospital Monday morning and is in good spirits and resting at home with his family.
“I am so thankful that his issued body armor stopped the round, saving his life,” said SCDPS Director Leroy Smith. “As I said during last night’s news briefing, law enforcement is a calling, and this is why we refer to these brave men and women—like Trooper Wise—as heroes. Our law enforcement works day and night to ensure the safety and security of us all.”
Wise will be placed on administrative duties once he returns to work, as per department protocol. He has been with the SC Highway Patrol since September 2016.
The suspect was identified by the Department of Public Safety as Willie Bernard Wright, 27, of Gaffney.
The shooting is being investigated by the State Law Enforcement Division.
The Department of Public Safety said Wise is assigned to Highway Patrol Troop Four, York County.
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