An attempted armed carjacking in Hardeeville, South Carolina ended with the suspect dead after he unknowingly targeted an armed citizen.
At a glance:
- A suspected multiple offender attempted to remove a victim from their car at gunpoint in Hardeeville, SC
- The armed suspect was shot and killed by an armed citizen acting in self-defense
- Police responded to the scene Monday night at 9:38 PM after reports of the attempted carjacking
- Witnesses helped police track the suspect’s movements before gunshots were heard
- The Hardeeville Police Department believes the deceased was involved in multiple attempted armed assaults
Armed Citizen Stops Violent Criminal
A would-be carjacker’s crime spree came to an abrupt end when he targeted a law-abiding gun owner in Hardeeville, South Carolina. The incident occurred after police responded to reports of an attempted armed carjacking.
According to local media, witnesses observed “a male subject attempting to remove a victim out of their car at gunpoint” before the suspect fled on foot. The armed citizen, whose identity has not been released, reportedly defended himself in accordance with South Carolina’s laws.
Hardeeville police arrived at the scene after gunshots were heard and found two men, one of whom had been shot. The injured man, who police believe was “a suspected multiple offender,” died at the scene.
Self-Defense Laws Protected Innocent Victim
South Carolina is one of 29 states with strong self-defense protections that allow citizens to defend themselves without a duty to retreat when faced with imminent danger. These laws recognize that victims of violent crime often have only seconds to make life-or-death decisions.
Local authorities confirmed that the deceased suspect is believed to have been involved in multiple armed assaults prior to the fatal confrontation.
Second Amendment Rights Save Lives
This case joins countless others where legally armed Americans have successfully defended themselves against violent criminals. Despite claims from gun control advocates that self-defense laws increase violence, real-world examples continue to demonstrate their effectiveness at protecting law-abiding citizens.
Second Amendment advocates point to incidents like the Hardeeville shooting as evidence that armed citizens serve as a deterrent to crime. When criminals don’t know which potential victims might be armed, they face increased risks and are therefore likely to make them think twice.
The South Carolina investigation remains ongoing, with authorities collecting witness statements and reviewing evidence to confirm the sequence of events. No charges have been filed against the armed citizen who acted in self-defense.
