The Crime Report

*SLED Charges Former Kershaw County Sheriff’s Deputy With Assault And Battery 3rd Degree*

Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged Johnathan Lewis Goldsmith, 38, on February 6, 2023 with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree.

On August 26, 2021, SLED was requested by the 5th Circuit Solicitor's Office to investigate an allegation of excessive use of force involving former Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office deputy Johnathan Goldsmith at the Kershaw County Detention Center on May 24, 2020. Goldsmith was terminated by the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office in November 2020.

Goldsmith was booked at the Kershaw County Detention Center. The case will be prosecuted by the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

*SLED Investigating Officer Involved Shooting In Spartanburg County*

Agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) were requested on February 2, 2023 by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) to investigate an officer involved shooing (OIS) at a residence in Spartanburg.

Following an attempt to serve outstanding warrants by Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office deputies, SCSO SWAT responded to a home where the man facing the warrants had barricaded himself inside. Following a standoff between the SCSO SWAT team and the barricaded man, a SCSO K9 was deployed. The man, later identified as Darius Holcomb, 39, began to attack the SCSO K9 with a sharp object. A SCSO deputy then fired at Holcomb. Holcomb was shot and died at the scene. No officers were injured.

This is an ongoing investigation. As such, no other information about the case will be disclosed by SLED at this time.

SLED conducts law enforcement officer involved shooting (OIS) investigations at the request of the agency involved in the incident or the agency with jurisdiction. When requested to investigate an OIS, SLED’s goal is to conduct a thorough, independent criminal investigation as timely as is possible under the circumstances. SLED agents will conduct interviews with all potential witnesses in this matter. Further, SLED will collect all relevant evidence and will forensically test such evidence as needed. Information gathered in the SLED investigation of the incident will be summarized in a case file report to be submitted to prosecutors.

The incident in Spartanburg County was the 4th officer involved shooting in South Carolina for 2023. This is the 1st officer involved shooting for the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office this year.

In 2022, there were 32 officer involved shootings in South Carolina. The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office had 3 officer involved shootings last year.

A copy of this news release is also on SLED’s website: www.sled.sc.gov

*SLED Investigating Officer Involved Shooting In Horry County*

Agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are investigating an officer involved shooting late Sunday evening that lasted into Monday morning in Horry County.

Officers with Horry County Police Department responded to a call Sunday evening regarding a disorderly tenant at a hotel in Myrtle Beach. When officers arrived, a man inside a room fired a gun multiple times. One officer suffered a non-life-threatening fragment wound to the head. That officer has since been discharged from the hospital. The man then barricaded himself in the room. The Horry County Police Department SWAT team responded to the scene. Hours later, there was an exchange of gunfire. The man died at the scene. The Horry County Coroner’s Office later identified the deceased as Hendrix Herschel Washington, 39.

This is an ongoing investigation. As such, no other information about the case will be disclosed by SLED at this time.

SLED conducts law enforcement officer involved shooting (OIS) investigations at the request of the agency involved in the incident or the agency with jurisdiction. When requested to investigate an OIS, SLED’s goal is to conduct a thorough, independent criminal investigation as timely as is possible under the circumstances. SLED agents will conduct interviews with all potential witnesses in this matter. Further, SLED will collect all relevant evidence and will forensically test such evidence as needed. Information gathered in the SLED investigation of the incident will be summarized in a case file report to be submitted to prosecutors.

The incident in Horry County was the 3rd officer involved shooting in South Carolina in 2023. This is the 1st officer involved shooting for the Horry County Police Department this year.

In 2022, there were 32 officer involved shootings in South Carolina. Horry County Police Department had no officer involved shootings last year.

*FCSO Investigators need your help in a motorcycle theft*

FCSO Investigators need your help in a motorcycle theft investigation. According to Investigators, on February 6, 2023 the 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle shown in the above photograph was stolen from the Motel 6 located on West Lucas Street in Florence, SC at approximately 4:00 pm.

Anyone with knowledge or information regarding this incident is asked to contact FCSO Investigators at (843)665-2121, ext. 372 or “Submit-A-Tip” on the FCSO free app for I-Phone or Android devices. You do not have to reveal your identity to leave information.

You can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at 1-888-CRIME-SC. You may be entitled to a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of individuals involved in a crime.

*Missing Person*

The Florence Police Department is seeking assistance locating Lakeysa Marie Wright, who has been reported missing.
Ms. Wright was last seen at her work but did not report to work the next day. She normally wears multi-colored glasses and a wrap on her head.

Contact Cpl. Frye of the Florence Police Department at 843-665-3191 or mfrye@cityofflorence.com with information regarding Ms. Wright

*Missing Person*

The Florence Police Department is seeking assistance locating Harry Lee Goodman, who has been reported missing.
Mr. Goodman was released from McLeod Hospital on 01/15/2023. He is known to frequent the McQueen Street/Timrod Park area, possibly on a bicycle. He was last seen wearing camouflage jeans and a jacket, and his beard may be slightly smaller than shown in the picture.

Contact Cpl. Frye of the Florence Police Department at 843-665-3191 or mfrye@cityofflorence.com with information regarding Mr. Goodman.