A suspect is in custody after a shooting and standoff with Florence police.
According to Lt. Mike Brandt with the Florence Police Department, the incident started when officers responded to a call about an armed robbery at 900 N. Irby Street just before noon. Officers located the suspect in front of the Speedy Mart on 207 W. Lucas Street.
The suspect fired at an officer and the officer returned fire. The suspect then barricaded himself inside the Family Dollar on 223 W. Lucas Street. Several people from inside the business were able to escape as officers set up a perimeter.
The Florence Police Department’s Tactical Team was called in and was able to take the suspect into custody.
In a press release on Monday afternoon, Florence police identified the suspect as Lee Roy Cook.
Cook has been charged with armed robbery, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime “stemming from his actions at 900 North Irby Street,” according to the release. Cook “also faces two counts of attempted Murder, five counts of kidnapping and possession of a weapon during a violent crime for his actions in the 200 block of West Lucas Street.” He was taken to the Florence County Detention Center on Saturday.
No one was injured during the incident.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol assisted.
Florence Police Chief Allen Heidler has requested that SLED respond to investigate the officer-involved shooting.
