“Sentenced Inmate Escapes from Pickens County Prison after Scaling Perimeter Fence”

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Steve Leroy AikenSteven Leroy Aiken

03-10-19 

At approximately 4:05pm this afternoon, an inmate serving a 128 day sentence for Family Court violations fled from the County Prison after climbing over a perimeter fence and fleeing on foot.

The inmate identified as Steven Leroy Aiken (45yoa) is a w/m approximately 5’11”, 143lbs with black hair.  He was wearing orange pants and a white colored shirt and last seen running towards Concord Church Rd.

The County Prison is located at 186 Prison Camp Rd in Pickens and typically houses inmates classified as minimum security. Several of the inmates serve on work crews providing inmate labor in various roles throughout the county.  Aiken was not assigned to a work crew.

Aiken has been incarcerated since early January of this year for the Family Court Bench Warrant for Failing to Pay Child Support as Ordered.  He has also been charged with Domestic Violence and Malicious Injury to Property.  He has not yet been to trial on those charges.

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office has several deputies working on the investigation with multiple units canvassing the area in an attempt to locate Aiken.

Anyone that may have been in the area of Concord Church Rd and observed any unusual activity after 4:00pm today is asked to contact the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at (864) 898-5500.

A mug shot has been attached to this Media Release.

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“Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Conducts Death Investigation of Body Found in Easley”

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01-19-19 

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the SC Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a male victim found along Saluda Dam Rd in Pickens County.

At approximately 12:15pm today, the Sheriff’s Office received a report from a passing motorist of a suspicious person that appeared to be injured on the shoulder of Saluda Dam Rd near the intersection of Pistol Club Rd.

Deputies arrived on the scene in approximately eight minutes and located a male subject that was deceased just feet from the paved roadway. Deputies and Troopers from the SC Highway Patrol examined the scene and are currently unable to definitively determine whether the victim may have been struck by a motor vehicle or perhaps died from other causes.

An autopsy has been requested by the Pickens County Coroner’s Office which will be scheduled on a later date to determine the manner and cause of death.

Inquiries regarding the identity of the victim should be directed to the Pickens County Coroner’s Office.

Anyone that may have been in the area over the past 24hrs and noticed anything unusual or suspicious is asked to call the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at (864) 898-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

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“Investigation of Fatal Shooting Points towards Attempted Murder followed by Suicide”

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01-04-19 

The investigation into the shooting of a husband and wife on McJunkin Dr. in Pickens thus far has produced information indicative of an attempted murder of the wife (73 yoa) followed by a self-inflicted gunshot to the husband (81 yoa).

Evidence from the autopsy conducted on the husband this afternoon has confirmed that the deceased sustained a single gunshot wound to the head from a small caliber weapon.

Additional evidence collected at the scene and from the husband’s body is consistent with the shot having been self-inflicted.

The wife remains hospitalized following overnight surgery to repair injuries sustained from having been shot one time in the upper torso. She is expected to survive with an extensive recovery period.

Interviews conducted with the victim by Sheriff’s detectives have provided information that is in corroboration with the evidence collected at the scene indicating that the wife was intentionally shot by the husband before turning the weapon on himself.

A .22 caliber revolver was recovered from the residence and is believed to be the weapon used to shoot both parties.

According to the wife, her husband became verbally agitated over a discussion involving her decision to stay with relatives for a few days at which time he informed her of his intent to take her life and commit suicide.

No information or evidence has been collected to indicate any criminal activity on the part of the wife throughout the investigation.

No record of any previous history of a law enforcement response to the residence involving domestic altercations is on file with this agency.

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“Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Receives Opinion in Fatal Shooting of Inmate following Solicitor’s Legal Review”

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12-17-18  

Last week, the Sheriff’s Office received notification from the 13th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office that the legal review of the investigation into the fatal shooting of an escaped inmate by a homeowner on December 4, 2018 had been completed.

Assistant Solicitor J. Baker Cleveland III stated… 

“It is the opinion of this office that (Name Redacted) would be immune from prosecution for any charges relating to the shooting death of Bruce McLaughlin pursuant to Title 16, Article 6 of the S.C. Code of Laws, the Protection of Persons and Property Act.

Her actions in this matter are a textbook example of what type of actions the Protection of Persons and Property Act seek to provide absolute criminal immunity for.” 

No criminal charges will be sought by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office against the homeowner in this incident.

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