Florence County Standoff Incidents Lead to Arrests and Investigation into Fatal Shooting

Florence County deputies are actively seeking Thomas Allen Thompson, a suspect involved in a domestic standoff on Mack’s Lake Road that escalated on Saturday. Thompson is accused of assaulting a female relative and forcing her back into a residence. In response to the situation, the SWAT team was deployed to the scene. While the woman was successfully located and removed safely from the home, Thompson remains at large.

According to Sheriff T. J. Joye, arrest warrants have been issued for Thompson, who is classified as armed and dangerous. He is described as being approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 155 pounds. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Thompson’s whereabouts to contact the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Investigators at (843) 665-2121, ext. 80168, or utilize the “Submit-A-Tip” feature on the FCSO’s free app, ensuring anonymity for those who provide tips.

Recent Standoff and Arrests

In addition to the ongoing search for Thompson, another standoff emerged on Wednesday involving 43-year-old Joshua Poston at a residence on Pine Needles Road. Reports indicated that Poston was firing a weapon amid a domestic dispute. Following a prolonged standoff and negotiations, Poston surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody. He faces multiple charges, including discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and two counts of domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. Furthermore, he is charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, categorized as an act of terrorism, and is currently being held at the Florence County Detention Center.

Incident Involving Deputy-Involved Shooting

The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is conducting an investigation into a separate standoff incident in Effingham involving 30-year-old Justin Lowery. On Wednesday, Lowery reportedly fired shots at Florence County EMS personnel as well as at his mother. Following tense negotiations, Lowery approached deputies while armed in a threatening manner, leading to a deputy-involved shooting that resulted in Lowery’s death at a nearby hospital. This incident is under active investigation, with the sheriff’s office fully cooperating with SLED authorities.

Community Impact and Concerns

As these incidents unfold, they have raised concerns within the Florence County community regarding domestic violence and public safety. The authorities are actively working to address these incidents and encourage residents to remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious behavior or information that could assist police efforts.