News Summary
In Aiken County, law enforcement officers shot an armed man during a pursuit following reports of a burglary. The suspect brandished weapons during the chase, prompting the deputies to fire in self-defense. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the incident, marking the 27th officer-involved shooting in the state in 2025. The suspect faces multiple serious charges, while no deputies were injured during the exchange.
Aiken, South Carolina – On Sunday morning, law enforcement officers shot an armed man during a pursuit in Aiken County. The incident took place around 10:30 a.m. on Old Barnwell Road, where deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, deputies encountered 39-year-old Aaron Stevenson, who was fleeing the scene.
During the chase, Stevenson allegedly brandished both a machete and a handgun, prompting deputies to use their firearms in defense. Following the shooting, deputies and Aiken County EMS promptly administered life-saving measures to Stevenson, who was then transported to a local hospital for treatment. As of now, there has been no update on his medical condition, but it is confirmed that no deputies were injured during the exchange.
Stevenson, a resident of Aiken, now faces several serious charges, including first-degree burglary, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and two counts of second-degree assault and battery. However, he is currently not listed in the Aiken County Detention Center’s inmate roster.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, as requested by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. SLED will interview witnesses and gather evidence to clarify the events that transpired on Sunday morning.
This incident marks the 27th officer-involved shooting reported in South Carolina in 2025 and is the second officer-involved shooting involving the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office this year. In comparison, there were a total of 45 officer-involved shootings across the state in 2024.
In the context of law enforcement interactions in South Carolina, the frequency and nature of officer-involved shootings has raised discussions among community members and officials alike. Each case is subjected to scrutiny to ensure proper procedures were followed by the officers involved. SLED’s investigations aim to maintain transparency and accountability in these critical situations.
The details surrounding the attempted burglary that led to the officers’ response have yet to be fully disclosed, but the nature of the event illustrates the potential dangers law enforcement faces when responding to active crime scenes. Public safety remains a paramount concern, and law enforcement agencies are equipped to handle such high-risk encounters, as evidenced by this recent event in Aiken County.
As the investigation unfolds, more information is expected to be released by SLED and the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, which will provide further insight into the circumstances that led to the use of force by the deputies.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tragedy Strikes as Two Firefighters Killed in Ambush Shooting
Officer-Involved Shooting Under Investigation in Aiken County
Officer-Involved Shooting in Aiken, SC
Aiken County Deputies Involved in Shooting Incident
Aiken County Incident Results in Officer-Involved Shooting
Aiken County Deputies Shoot Burglary Suspect During Chase
Suspect Shot by Aiken County Deputies During Burglary Chase
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigated in Aiken, SC
Shooting Incident at Holiday Weekend Party Boat Leaves Ten Injured
Golden Harvest Food Bank Receives $10 Million Grant
Additional Resources
- WRDW: Deputies identify man shot by cop in Aiken County
- Wikipedia: Aiken County
- WYFF: Home invasion suspect shot by deputies
- Google Search: South Carolina law enforcement
- The State: Local crime news
- Google Scholar: officer-involved shootings South Carolina
- WLTX: SLED investigates shooting incident
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law enforcement
- WIS: 10-year-old girl killed in SC shooting
- Google News: South Carolina shootings
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
