Body-camera footage of a man shot by a South Carolina sheriff's deputy through a window pane next to his front door has been released by the department.
Footage posted to the Greenville County Sheriff Office's YouTube page shows the deputy, whose name has not been released, being dispatched to what police said was a medical alarm call at the victim's home in Simpsonville, South Carolina on June 14. In the video posted by the department, the victim, identified as Dick Tench, 62, by his lawyer, can be see appearing in a window next to his home's front door.
"According to the deputy, after noticing the man inside, he illuminates him with his flashlight, and as he did so, the man who was initially walking away from the front door, turned and pointed his gun at him," Sheriff's Office Capt. Tim Brown said. "In an effort to defend himself against the perceived threat, the deputy fired his issued weapon as he retreated off the porch and subsequently struck the individual multiple times."
The video picks up as the deputy orders Tench to throw his gun outside. Tench can be heard asking who the deputy was, and tells him he's been shot several times. The deputy tells Tench he was there because he was responding the an "alarm call."
"Oh my God, call the cops please," Tench begs the deputy.
"I am the cops," the deputy responds.
"What’s wrong with you man?" Tench asks.
"You pointed a gun at me, man," the deputy replies.
The department's video pauses to highlight the handgun that was carried by Tench, near where he'd fallen after being shot.
"You’re in my house ... I saw lights, and I heard the doorbell ring, and I got my gun. I’m a concealed-weapons guy. Get the ambulance here, I’m going to die, hurry," Tench says. "You came to my house at 12 o'clock at night, I’m sleeping. Goddamn, I've got to protect my house. Oh my God, get the ambulance right now, I’m going to die."
"OK, we’re not going to talk about this right now, we’re going to focus on keeping you alive, so take some deep breaths, and you’re going to be OK, alright," the deputy says, trying to reassure the victim.
Tench also appears confused as to why the deputy was called out to his home in the first place, telling him that they didn't have an alarm. Capt. Brown addresses this in the video, saying the deputy was dispatched to the Tench's home after both the alarm company and 911 dispatchers were unable to contact the homeowner.
Investigators were able to determine the emergency signal came from a cellphone medical assistance device from someone in the home, but there had not been an immediate emergency.
You can watch the department's video below.
WARNING: Graphic language and scenes are included:
Before the body-camera footage was released, the Greenville Sheriff's Office contended Tench was shot after opening the door and pointing his handgun at the deputy. Tench's lawyer, Beattie Ashmore, pointed to a post on the sheriff's Facebook page that said "Dick opened the door and aimed at the deputy."
Tench was shot four times and had to have surgery to remove a bullet from his aorta through his back. Another bullet in his pelvis will remain. He was also grazed in his forearm and back, two wounds that he is currently recovering from Ashmore said.
The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, WYFF reported.
Photo: Greenville County Sheriff's Office