Greenville, South Carolina – Newly released body camera footage from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about police use of force after a deputy shot the mother of a shoplifting suspect during a tense standoff at a local residence.
The incident occurred early Tuesday morning when deputies responded to a report of theft from a nearby convenience store, known locally as the Sphinx. Deputies identified the suspect as 29-year-old Theodore Qasr and tracked him to a private residence where the confrontation began.
A Tense Confrontation Caught on Camera
The footage shows deputies repeatedly ordering Qasr to come down the stairs and cooperate. One deputy can be heard reading Qasr his Miranda rights, telling him, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”
Qasr refuses to comply, at one point shouting that the deputies had no right to grab him and insisting he would not walk away if they stopped touching him. The situation quickly escalated as deputies warned Qasr he could be arrested for resisting a lawful order.
“If you walk away from me, I have every right to lay hands on you. Do not walk away from me,” one deputy is heard saying in the video.
The Shooting
According to investigators, Qasr’s mother entered the hallway during the standoff and attempted to intervene on her son’s behalf. The situation turned chaotic as multiple deputies moved in to take Qasr into custody. In the confusion, one deputy discharged his weapon, striking the woman.
Deputies immediately called for medical assistance. The woman was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Her name has not yet been released by authorities.
Charges Against the Suspect
Following the shooting, Qasr was subdued, handcuffed, and escorted out of the home. He was later charged with:
- Resisting arrest with assault
- Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature on a law enforcement officer
- Shoplifting
Qasr was first taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being booked into the Greenville County Detention Center.
Community Reaction
News of the incident quickly spread through Greenville, with residents expressing shock and anger. Several community activists gathered outside the Sheriff’s Office demanding transparency and the full release of bodycam footage.
“This was supposed to be a simple questioning about a shoplifting incident, and it ended with a mother being shot,” said local resident Marsha Tillman. “We need answers about why deadly force was used in this situation.”
Others voiced concerns about the potential for escalation in similar cases. “Too many of these confrontations end violently when they don’t have to,” said civil rights advocate Derek Johnson.
Ongoing Investigation
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is leading an independent investigation into the shooting. The agency has stated that it will review the full bodycam footage, interview witnesses, and examine whether department policy was followed.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Amanda Phillips issued a brief statement:
“Anytime an officer-involved shooting occurs, it is taken extremely seriously. We are fully cooperating with SLED to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.”
A press conference is expected later this week where officials will provide further details, including updates on the victim’s condition.
What Happens Next
Legal experts say the case could take weeks to investigate before a decision is made on whether the deputy’s actions were justified. In the meantime, the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
For now, Greenville residents remain on edge, waiting for answers.
