Associated Press
GREER, S.C. — Authorities say a sheriff’s deputy in South Carolina unintentionally shot a shoplifting suspect’s mother during a confrontation inside a home.
Body camera video released Wednesday shows the Greenville County deputy attempting to arrest Sean Theodore Kaiser, 40, at his mother’s home in Greer during a shoplifting investigation in October.
The video shows Kaiser and the deputy involved in a struggle while Kaiser’s mother, whom his lawyer identified as Dianne Maros, is in the room. Maros attempts to hold Kaiser back but he is later seen coming toward the deputy, who then fires her service weapon. The first gunshot strikes Maros. A second shot fired by the deputy doesn’t hit anyone.
Kaiser was arrested by a second deputy who arrived after the deputy called for backup and after the shooting.
The deputy, whom the sheriff’s office did not identify, went to Kaiser’s home after authorities say she saw him shoplifting on a convenience store’s surveillance video. The body camera video shows the deputy attempting to read Kaiser his Miranda rights when he retreats from the front porch into the house. The deputy tries to negotiate with Kaiser for several minutes, at times physically trying to prevent him from walking away.
She was diagnosed with a concussion and received several bruises as a result of the confrontation, said Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Tim Brown. She was initially placed on leave, but is now on administrative duty, Lt. Ryan Flood said.
The sheriff’s office says the deputy did not violate department policy.
Maros is still in the hospital recovering from the gunshot wound, Kaiser’s attorney Jake Erwin said.
Kaiser has been charged with resisting arrest with assault, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and shoplifting.