Person killed in shootout with police off I-95 in Hardeeville. Officer also hurt
A person involved in a shootout with Hardeeville police early Friday morning has died at a hospital, according to reports.
An investigator with the Jasper County Coroner’s Office told WTOC 11 that the person had died, the station reported. An officer who was injured in the shooting was in stable condition as of Friday morning, the Hardeeville Police Department said.
Hardeeville Chief of Police Sam Woodward said the officer who fired shots at the person who died was placed on paid administrative leave, which is “standard procedure” for when an officer fires their weapon at someone. He did not name the officer but said they fired multiple shots.
Woodward did not expand on the nature of the call that brought Hardeeville officers to the Shell station on U.S. 17 (Whyte Hardee Boulevard) near Exit 5 of Interstate 95 at around 4 a.m. Friday.
The gunfire began “during an active law enforcement response,” the department said.
As of 8 a.m., the scene was secure and there was “no danger to the community,” according to police. Drivers Friday morning were advised to avoid the area of Exit 5 due to traffic impacts as law enforcement continues to process the scene. Police cleared the scene at the gas station as of Friday afternoon.
Woodward deferred additional questions to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, whose agents investigate any shooting involving law enforcement statewide. The agency had not released a statement on the incident as of 2 p.m. Friday.
Officials have not yet disclosed the identity of the person killed in the shooting.
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 9:25 AM.
