Self-Defense Ruling: No Charges in Fatal Sharon Dollar General Shooting

SHARON, SC – The York County Sheriff’s Office and the Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office will not pursue charges in a fatal shooting in Sharon, SC. On July 10, 2025, at 3:09 p.m., deputies with the York County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Dollar General located in Sharon, South Carolina, about a shooting.  Responding deputies determined that a single shot was fired and struck the male victim. 

Once deputies secured the scene, the YCSO Criminal Investigations Division and Forensic Services Unit responded to investigate the shooting. Investigators spoke with multiple witnesses on the scene and collected all evidence related to the shooting. Investigators determined that the injured male had first approached the other parties’ vehicle aggressively, while making threats of violence.  After threatening the driver of the car, the male punched the driver of the vehicle by entering through the driver’s side window. The male driver, who was struck by the punch, then responded to the perceived threat by discharging his firearm, which he was lawfully carrying.

The male who sustained the gunshot wound was transported to Piedmont Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries on July 13, 2025. 

In accordance with standard operating procedure, YCSO investigators presented the facts of the investigation to the Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The YCSO and Solicitor’s Office determined that the driver of the vehicle acted in self-defense when he discharged his firearm as allowed by South Carolina law (see S.C. Code Sec. 16-11-440, Protection of Persons and Property Act).  Accordingly, no charges will be filed related to this incident.