FLORENCE-Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler released the name of the wounded police officer and the man who shot him in a statement on Sunday, April 17.
Florence Police say Officer Brian Berry was shot at point-blank range by a .45 caliber handgun. Officer Berry took a shot to the face just after midnight at the intersection of Cloverdale Road and Cox Creek Parkway. The suspected shooter Matthew Hall McCravy, 22 of Florence died at the scene.
Chief Tyler confirmed the SBI is investigating the shooting. Tyler also said, “His personal actions were extraordinary, brave, and were simply the standard by which all law enforcement aspired to rise in the event they are ever unfortunate enough to be in this situation.”
Officer Berry returned fire and the gunman at that time fled the scene.
After a short while officers spotted a car matching the description of McCravy’s car. A chase ensued ending in the parking lot of the Christ od Christ at Chisholm Hill. As officers approached the car the suspected shooter fired a single gunshot. Police found him deceased inside his vehicle. After preliminary investigation all indications are McCravy died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
