LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — A man and woman are dead and an officer is wounded following what law enforcement says was a violent home invasion overnight in Lexington County.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said Wednesday morning that the incident involved a suspect and his ex-wife and began at a home on Prismatic Way in Lexington County. The Lexington County Coroner has identified the suspect as 39-year-old Jamal Walker and the victim as 36-year-old Dominque Walker.
According to Koon, officers got a call at 1:26 a.m. Wednesday that Jamal Walker had forced his way into the back of the woman's house. When deputies arrived at the scene, one attempted to enter the home. Koon said the suspect fired shots, and the deputy was hit by gunfire and backed out of the house.
Koon said the Jamal Walker got into the victim's car and plowed through the garage door, and officers began chasing his vehicle. The chase went for several miles down Calks Ferry Road, and the sheriff said the suspect was firing shots at officers as they were driving down the road.
Eventually, officers used a tire deflation device on the road to slow the vehicle, and the chase ended near Interstate 20. However, when the suspect got out of the car, Koon said Jamal Walker fired more shots at officers, who then fired back. The suspect was killed.
Officers later confirmed that Dominque Walker was dead and the coroner said she'd been shot multiple times. The couple's 8-year-old son was inside the home during the ordeal. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution but was later released to his grandparent.
Koon said the couple had been married but had divorced in 2022 and added officers had gone to the home before because of harassing phone calls. He added the man does have some criminal history, but those violations weren't serious and that they're still investigating what led up to Wednesday morning's incident.
The officer was to have surgery. Koon said he had a chase to visit with the officer in the hospital.
A portion of Two Notch Road between Calks Ferry and Smith Pond roads is closed as officers investigate. Lexington Police and Lexington County Sheriff's Department are on the scene. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to seek alternative routes.
This is an ongoing investigation, and this story will be updated as information becomes available.