Irmo, SC (WLTX) A man is recovering in the ICU after he was shot by police following a 911 call to his Irmo home.
Irmo Police Chief Joe Nates says officers initially went to the home for a domestic dispute, but it escalated when they tried to approach a man inside.
"He didn't comply with the officers. He presented and pointed a firearm," said Chief Nates. "The officers repeatedly asked him to drop the firearm, he refused to do so and he was shot."
Jack Armstrong says he was woken in his home by flashing blue lights around 2 a.m. When he went outside, the house next to his on Wychwood Road was surrounded by emergency vehicles.
After learning what happened, he says the neighborhood has had incidents before.
"I don't feel any less safe, no," said Armstrong. "But by the same token, I'd pay attention to what's happening and I think all of us need to."
57-year-old Michael Jones was shot in the chest and taken to the hospital for emergency surgery. Chief Nates says he's expected to recover.
Armstrong says the family moved in next door only last week, so he didn't approach Jones' wife who was visibly upset in his yard.
"It appeared to me that she had someone else with her, trying to comfort her," said Armstrong. "I didn't think it was necessary for me at that point to engage her or the other lady."
Charges are pending for Jones, who has prior arrests for armed robbery and blackmail or extortion. Police are also looking at information his family gave to police.
"There was a domestic incident that happened Monday night that was reported to us after the shooting," said Chief Nates. "Those charges are pending as well."
Chief Nates says the two officers are on mandatory paid administrative leave until the end of the investigation. SLED is assisting in the case since it involves the police department.
