COLUMBIA (WACH) -- The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Columbia’s Five Points Tuesday morning.
Department of Public Safety spokesperson Sherri Iacobelli says two Highway Patrol troopers shot the suspect after the man started firing at them.
The incident began around 8:15 when Senior Trooper S.M. Groubert stopped a vehicle that passed him speeding along I-20.
Investigators say during the stop, Groubert observed signs the suspect appeared to be under the influence. The suspect then drove away and the trooper began chasing him.
During the pursuit, investigators say Trooper First Class Jack Tompkins IV joined the chase along Forest Drive. The troopers followed the suspect to the Wells Fargo bank in Five Points.
Officials say the suspect got out of his vehicle and began firing shots at the troopers in the parking lot. Groubert and Tompkins returned fire, injuring the suspect.
Neither trooper was hurt.
Groubert originally joined the Highway Patrol in 2005. Tompkins has been with SCHP since 2010.
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