A man is in custody and being questioned in connection to the Friday night death of a Florence police officer, the authorities said Saturday. The officer was not on duty at the time of his death.
Brady Johnson, 22, of Effingham, has been detained and is in jail in connection with the shooting death of Matthew Howell Clayton, 29, who was a patrol officer with the Florence City Police Department.
Sheriff's Office spokesman Mike Nunn says Clayton was pronounced dead at his home on Cross Vines by the Florence County Coroner, Bubba Matthews. The shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. Friday.
Nunn said Johnson has not been classified as a suspect, but rather a person of interest who is being questioned. Nunn said other people have been questioned, but no one else has been detained. Nunn said charges could be filed against Johnson.
Nunn said Johnson and Clayton were acquaintances, though he couldn't confirm reports that the two were roommates.
Nunn says forensic investigators were called to process the scene at the officer's home in the Womack Garden subdivision off Alligator Road in the city limits of Florence. The house is in the Florence city limits, but because it involves a city police officer, the Florence County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation.
More information on Johnson's detainment and the investigation will be posted as investigators release it.
On Saturday morning, Florence Police Chief Anson Shells released the following statement:
"Matthew’s death is a tragic loss for both his family and for our police department family. He was an wonderful person and an outstanding officer who gave his best for the City of Florence everyday. As far as the investigation is concerned, I am confident that the Florence County Sheriff’s Department will bring it to a successful conclusion so that the Clayton family can have the closure they deserve. Please pray for the Clayton family and for the Florence Police Department that we all may recover from this tragic incident."
Chief Shells says Clayton had been a patrol officer with the Florence Police Department for approximately three years .
The body of Officer Clayton will be sent for autopsy to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC.
Stay with NewsChannel 15 and your website CarolinaLive.com for more information as it comes in.
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