A man wanted for allegedly sexual exploiting a minor is behind bars after leading police and U.S. Marshals on a car chase with gunfire and then a foot chase through West Ashley on Tuesday, officials say.
Brian Sherald, age 31, was finally caught minutes after the car chase while he was apparently trying to blend in to a neighborhood by casually pushing a lawnmower, witnesses and authorities said.
Witnesses told WCBD they watched as police initially pulled the suspect’s car over in a crowded auto body shop’s parking lot and then fired their weapons at the man’s car.
Larry Cann says he was working at the Parks Auto Salvage garage off Highway 17 in Ravenel Tuesday afternoon when almost a half dozen police officers sped into his parking lot, in pursuit of a man in a stolen black car.
“I’m glad everybody’s alright guess somebody could’ve been shot out here absolutely,” said Cann.
Minutes later, authorities were shooting their guns at the vehicle as the driver attempted to speed away. Cann explained, “He could have run over and killed somebody.”
The driver of the vehicle, Brian Sherald, of Charleston, had an outstanding bench warrant for sexual exploitation of a minor of the 2nd degree. Police were trying to arrest him when he fled, eventually pulling over into the auto body’s parking lot.
Cann told WCBD, “The black car was here right in front of them, at a distant no more than 18 feet, 20 feet from the officer – and then they started firing because he revved it up.”
Witnesses who were there at the time of the shooting said that Sherald pulled the stolen black vehicle off Highway 17 and slammed on his brakes in the parking lot.
Witnesses say police got out of their vehicles and yelled, “Put your hands up!” When Sherald didn’t comply, that’s when witnesses say the officers started firing.
Cann said, “I heard the weapon just discharge and I was standing like 15 feet from the officer.”
No one was injured in the shooting, but Sherald took off down Highway 17. Less than five miles down the road, Sherald ditched his car behind Carpet Baggers Floor Coverings.
WCBD spoke with the owner of the business who gave the TV station surveillance video of the moment he ditched the stolen car.
“When something like that happens, everybody gets a little anxiety,” said Steve Leasure, co-owner of Carpet Baggers.
About 15 minutes after Sherald fled on foot, authorities arrested him in a nearby neighborhood.
Sherald will be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to stop for a blue light and possession of stolen motor vehicle.
Witnesses said Sherald was arrested while pushing a lawnmower.
Although no one was hurt, residents and business owners west of the Ashley River said they were shaken up during the shooting.
“I think the officer was in the right for what he did,” said Cann.
SLED tells us Sherald is being held at the Charleston County Detention Center.
Sherald was arrested back in 2012 following an investigation by Charleston City Police and the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce after investigators say he sent photos and videos of children engaged in sex acts.
Sherald was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and felony distribution.
