RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WACH) - A Richland County deputy who shot and killed a man during a struggle in July has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident.
Sheriff Leon Lott says the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Dan Johnson cleared Deputy Reginald Grant on Aug. 9. Johnson's findings cited that Grant "acted in accordance with the law and that his use of force was reasonably necessary in the light of the circumstances [he] was placed in."
Grant shot and killed 30-year-old Keith Durham on July 5.
Lott says Grant confronted Durham at a motel near Garner Lane. Durham fled the scene, but Grant caught Durham and they struggled. During the fight, Durham attempted to use the officers taser against him, striking the officer with only one of the two necessary prongs to use it.
Lott says the deputy pulled out the prong, and continued to fight as Durham attempted to get the officer’s gun from his holster. When he was unsuccessful, Durham again got hold of the taser and pointed it at the officer. The sheriff says the deputy shot the Durham multiple times after his taser was taken a second time. Durham was taken to the hospital where he died.
Lott says that no one wants to use deadly force, and that in this instance Grant did his job in protecting himself and the community.
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