Man pointed rifle at Colleton Co. deputy before officer-involved-shooting, report says

JACKSONBORO, S.C. (WCSC) - An investigative report from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shows a Jacksonboro man pointed a rifle at the Colleton County Sheriff’s deputy before the deputy fatally shot him.

The incident happened back on May 1, when Cpl. Jacob Scott and another deputy were sent to do a health and welfare check on 55-year-old Jerry Crosby. Investigators said Crosby’s wife received text messages that concerned her and called 911 because she felt he may have attempted to harm himself.

When he got there, Scott found a table with a notebook, white pills, and a cell phone on a porch.

The new SLED report states that once Scott made contact with Crosby, Crosby grabbed a rifle and pointed it at Scott. That’s when Scott fired his weapon at Crosby, striking him several times.

Scott rendered aid and called EMS to the scene. Crosby was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

Scott was placed on paid administrative leave while SLED was investigating, as is common with officer-involved incidents. Based on SLED’s findings, the solicitor’s office decided not to indict Deputy Scott based on “insufficient evidence or conduct not criminal,” according to the declination letter from the Public Integrity Unit of the 1st and 14th Circuits.

The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office said Scott will be returning to full detail.

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