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Lexington County Sheriff's Department updates charges in K9 shooting case

Law enforcement team trying to serve warrants exchanged gunfire with suspect, leading to death of canine officer

NEWBERRY, S.C. — Investigators with Lexington County Sheriff's Department have upgraded charges involving the shooting and murder of K9 officer Coba during an attempt by Newberry County Sheriff's Department (NCSD) and State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents to serve a felony warrant in Newberry County on Tuesday, June 11. 

After receiving information that their suspect was at a family member's home on Gravel Road, near Prosperity, a team involving NCSD deputies and SLED agents arrived at the home to serve burglary first degree warrants on James Robert Peterson, 37, for a burglary on Blacks Gate East Road on May 24, 2024. The woman answering the door, later identified as Peterson's mother, Scarlett Boyd, 61, told the team that Peterson was not in the home and not been around for a while. However, from a window, a NCSD deputy saw Peterson moving through the house.

This prompted a deputy sheriff, K9 Coba and the dog's handler to enter the residence and confront Peterson in a hallway inside the home. Peterson produced a firearm and shot the dog, then trained the gun on the warrants team. Officers returned fire, wounding Peterson.

K9 Coba was transferred to an emergency veterinarian where she succumbed from her wounds. Peterson was transported to a local hospital and is undergoing treatment for his wounds.

Because NCSD and SLED officers were involved in a shooting incident, Lexington County Sheriff's Department (LCSD) was called in as an outside agency to investigate the shooting and the murder of Coba. Once LCSD's investigation is complete, the department will present their findings to Eighth Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo. 

Currently, Peterson is still charged with burglary. Solicitor Stumbo could bring more charges as a result of Tuesday's incident.

Scarlett Boyd has been charged with hindering a law enforcement officer serving process and is in the Newberry County Detention Center under a $20,000 cash/surety bond.

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