RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — An investigation into domestic violence on Friday led deputies to a disturbing discovery in which authorities said law enforcement was the target.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department said deputies were looking into an incident involving domestic violence when they learned that 43-year-old Zachary Tanaka had allegedly threatened to harm officers, his wife and children. Investigators secured a search warrant at his home and said they found anti-police propaganda, a barricade constructed out of sandbags and several guns with ammunition.
"He was prepared to kill as many cops as he could," Sheriff Leon Lott said. "He had made a statement that that's what he was going to do."
Lott said his department was about to "outsmart" Tanaka so that no one was hurt.
As a result of the investigation, Tanaka was charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, disseminating obscene material to a minor under 12 years old, third-degree criminal sexual conduct and criminal sexual conduct of a minor under 16 years old, among other charges.
Following the arrest, the sheriff's department described domestic violence calls as some of "the most dangerous situations law enforcement officers face every day."
“Pray for our deputies every day as they have a dangerous job to protect our citizens and Richland County,” Lott said.
The department urged anyone who is experiencing domestic violence - or knows someone who is - to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
