A Summerton man was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement, during which he allegedly fired multiple shots from his home and refused to surrender, according to the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded at approximately 9:50 p.m. Monday to reports of shots fired at a residence on Mazyck Street. A woman inside the home told authorities that her husband, later identified as 38-year-old Richard Smith II, was armed and had been shooting out of the back door of the house. She also stated that when she attempted to leave with her children, Smith shut the door behind her, keeping a small child inside with him.
Deputies tried to make contact with Smith, urging him to come out of the house and release the child, but he refused and became hostile toward officers, the sheriff’s office said. More shots were fired from inside the home toward deputies on the scene.
Due to the escalating situation, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) SWAT team was called in for assistance. Upon arrival, SWAT negotiators continued efforts to persuade Smith to release the child and surrender. After several hours, Smith emerged from the home with the child and surrendered to SWAT officers. The child was unharmed, and Smith was taken into custody.
Authorities said the motive for Smith’s actions remains unclear. The incident is still under investigation, and charges against Smith are pending. He was transported to the Clarendon County Detention Center.
