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Man dies after shooting during routine traffic stop

Officers put down outburst after victim's friend accuses deputy of unprovoked attack

Web posted May 2, 1998

Associated Press

TAYLORS, S.C. -- A 24-year-old man who was shot by a Greenville County deputy during a routine traffic stop has died.

Tyrone Napolean Salters of Greenville died Friday from a gunshot wound to the head, Coroner Parks Evans said.

Deputy Brad Reid had pulled over Mr. Salter and another man late Wednesday and was walking toward the car when the driver, Tyrone Young, tried to back over him, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Lee Owens said.

``The officer obviously felt his life was in immediate danger, and the only way to stop the assault was with deadly force,'' Sgt. Owens said.

Mr. Young disputed that account, saying he had reached for his wallet when the deputy started shooting.

``So I just press feet to the gas, and I try to get out, cause he shot, boom boom, you know,'' Mr. Young said.

Deputy Reid, who joined the department in July 1997, was placed on paid administrative leave while the sheriff's department and the State Law Enforcement Division investigate.

A SLED spokesman did not immediately return a call to comment on possible charges.

After the shooting, Mr. Young drove six miles to Boling Road Trailer Park and told residents what happened. When deputies arrived, about 300 neighbors were waiting and ran outside to confront the officers.

The Sheriff's Field Force Response Team was called in after people started throwing sticks and rocks, Sgt. Owens said. Deputies also used pepper spray to break up the crowd.

Some residents complained that patrol cars blocked the road and delayed the ambulance.