A shooting incident in Summerville, South Carolina on Wednesday afternoon, March 20 led to the death of North Carolina resident Michael P. O’Neal, 39, and injuries to an off-duty Summerville Police officer, after an altercation between the two men.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is currently investigating the confrontation, which occurred around 1 pm near a Chick-fil-A restaurant on North Main Street. Information about the altercation is not yet available.
Berkeley County Coroner Darnell Hartwell confirmed O’Neal’s identity and reported that he died from a gunshot wound. The details leading up to the altercation remain under investigation, with authorities working to piece together the events of the day.
The off-duty officer involved in the incident was struck by a vehicle, sustaining injuries classified as non-life-threatening. The officer, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Captain Chris Hirsch of the Summerville Police Department emphasized the injuries were from the vehicle impact, not a firearm.
“Our job is to find the facts and that is what we are here to do today. We understand that people are getting off in-between jobs and things like that but again that’s a part of the process to make sure that we investigate these cases very thoroughly,” County Coroner Hartwell said.
This event marks the second officer-involved shooting in Summerville in 2024, prompting an extensive law enforcement response and investigation in the area.
For several hours, the vicinity around the Chick-fil-A and North Main Street was cordoned off, significantly impacting local traffic as crime scene units and investigators conducted their work.
In response to the incident, Summerville Police issued advisories urging the public to steer clear of the affected area to facilitate the ongoing investigation. This heavy police presence and operational caution reflect the seriousness with which local authorities are treating the situation.
O’Neal’s relatives have come forward to say that he did not hold any grudges against the police. Tom Nail, a cousin of O’Neal’s, verified that he was the one seen in the black shirt in the video footage of the incident that escalated to violence. Nail also says that the outcome might have been different had O’Neal been aware that he was engaging with an officer.
“Michael would’ve never fought a cop,” Nail said. “If he had known that that was a police officer, there’s no way that there would’ve been any altercation whatsoever. Michael would’ve stopped in his tracks.”
“He did for others; he really gave of himself to family and to friends and to anybody. And he was the guy that was always going to be smiling.”
