March 22, 2019
FCSO DEPUTIES, RAPTOR I LOCATE MISSING RUNAWAY TEEN
Deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office responded yesterday to a 911 call of a juvenile who had run away from home with a firearm, threatening suicide near Bragdon Road near Lake City, SC at approximately 11:00 AM. According to Investigators, the teenager and a parent had earlier been involved in a verbal and physical altercation, after which the teen ran into a nearby wooded area with a handgun.
Raptor I, the FCSO Aviation Unit helicopter, which was on static display at Career Day at Timmonsville High School, responded to the location and was able to spot the juvenile hiding in the woods within minutes of arrival. Once located, deputies on the ground were able to safely approach and take the juvenile into custody.
Once in custody, the juvenile denied any intent of self-harm and was charged with Simple Larceny, Assault and Battery (third degree) and Minor in Possession of a Pistol. The juvenile was later released into the custody of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ).
“Our ability to respond to incidents like this from the air and the ground means that we are able to resolve dangerous situations more quickly and safely for all concerned,” Sheriff Kenney Boone stated. “When locating missing adults or children or fleeing suspects, time is of paramount importance. We are fortunate to have these tools as well as the professionals to use them to get the job done.”
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Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.
