Florence County, September 1, 2025
News Summary
A confrontation in Florence County ended with the fatal shooting of a man following a domestic violence call. Justin Lowery, 30, fired at an ambulance and then barricaded himself, leading to a standoff with law enforcement. The incident escalated when he threatened deputies and was ultimately shot by an officer after exiting the home. No law enforcement personnel were injured, and investigations into the event are ongoing, raising concerns about communication failures regarding the safety of first responders.
Florence County Confrontation Ends with Fatal Shooting of Armed Man Following Domestic Violence Call
Florence County, South Carolina – A confrontation with law enforcement in Florence County resulted in the death of 30-year-old Justin Lowery. The incident commenced on August 27 after Lowery reportedly fired at an ambulance while officers responded to a domestic violence call on Anderson Field Road. His actions led to an hours-long standoff that ultimately escalated, resulting in a deputy shooting Lowery.
The confrontation began when deputies from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrived at a residence following reports of domestic violence. Upon their arrival, they found Lowery armed and actively threatening individuals, including his own mother and emergency medical personnel. During the initial moments, Lowery pointed his weapon towards an ambulance and opened fire.
After the shooting incident involving the ambulance, he barricaded himself inside the home. As law enforcement attempted to negotiate, Lowery reportedly made threats towards the deputies, declaring he would kill them if they approached. Following a standoff that lasted several hours, Lowery exited the house, behaving in a menacing manner towards the authorities.
At the intersection of Anderson Field Road and U.S. 52, an officer fatally shot Lowery as he approached them. Despite the critical situation, no law enforcement officers sustained injuries during the confrontation. Lowery was transported to an area hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.
The Florence County Coroner’s Office confirmed Lowery’s identity after the incident. Investigations into the specifics of what transpired leading up to the shooting, including the detailed nature of the deadly interaction, remain ongoing. SLED is handling the investigation at the request of the sheriff’s office, but no details have emerged regarding the condition of any domestic violence victims present during the incident.
Following the situation, Sheriff TJ Joye voiced concerns regarding the safety of EMS personnel who initially responded to the call. He indicated that a significant communication breakdown had occurred, resulting in emergency personnel being inadequately informed about the potential dangers at the residence. Sheriff Joye underscored that such miscommunication is unprecedented in his 40 years of service.
As additional information surfaces, there remains an absence of data concerning potential disciplinary actions or corrective protocols related to the communication failures that contributed to the incident. The tragic outcome has raised questions regarding the preparedness and safety measures for both first responders and victims of domestic violence in similar situations.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | August 27 |
| Incident Location | Anderson Field Road, Florence County |
| Involved Individual | Justin Lowery, 30 years old |
| Law Enforcement Agencies | Florence County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) |
| Outcome | Lowery shot by deputy; pronounced dead at hospital |
| Key Concerns | Threats to EMS personnel, communication failures |
FAQ
What led to the shooting of Justin Lowery?
The shooting followed a domestic violence call where Lowery fired upon EMS staff and barricaded himself for several hours, making threats against law enforcement before being shot by a deputy as he exited the home in a threatening manner.
What were the circumstances of the confrontation?
Law enforcement arrived after reports of Lowery’s violent behavior, which included firing at his mother and ambulance personnel. A standoff ensued after he barricaded himself, and ultimately, law enforcement decided to subdue him after he exited the residence aggressively.
What is the status of the investigation?
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is conducting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident at the request of the sheriff’s office. No specific details have been released regarding the investigation’s findings as of yet.
Were there any injuries to law enforcement officers?
No law enforcement officers were reported injured during the incident.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- WYFF4 News
- WMBF News
- Google Search: Florence County shooting
- Wikipedia: Domestic violence and police
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
