Darkness shattered by gunfire. A Greenville, South Carolina police officer found himself the target of a calculated ambush, a terrifying moment captured on chilling surveillance footage. A vehicle silently pulled alongside his patrol car, and in a heartbeat, the night erupted in violence.
The video reveals a stark scene: a car gliding into a parking lot, stopping directly beside the officer’s driver’s side window. Then, flashes of light – the unmistakable signature of gunfire – as the suspect unleashed a barrage before speeding away, leaving the officer wounded and alone.
Swiftly transported to a local hospital, the officer thankfully received treatment and has since been released. But the attack didn’t end there. A manhunt ignited, fueled by the urgency to bring the assailant to justice.
Deputies quickly located the suspect’s vehicle, triggering a tense and dangerous pursuit. Multiple exchanges of gunfire punctuated the chase, escalating the danger with each passing moment. The pursuit culminated in a devastating crash, and within the wreckage, the suspect lay dead.
Authorities identified the gunman as David William Lane, 42 years old. Sheriff Hobart Lewis confirmed the attack was a deliberate ambush, a predatory act against a law enforcement officer simply performing his duty.
This wasn’t a random act. Prior to the ambush, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office had received multiple complaints about Lane’s disturbing behavior and concerning statements. Neighbors reported his actions on January 1st and 2nd, raising red flags that prompted investigations.
While the reported behavior was unsettling, deputies determined it didn’t immediately meet the threshold for a criminal arrest. However, recognizing the potential threat, apartment complex administrators proactively hired off-duty sheriff’s deputies for added security, beginning January 8th, to safeguard residents.
A mother living at the complex shared harrowing security footage showing Lane approaching her daughter’s apartment earlier in the month, visibly armed with a gun. She revealed he had been stalking her daughter and other residents, making explicit and frightening threats.
Now, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is leading a comprehensive and independent investigation, meticulously examining witness statements and forensic evidence. Their findings will be presented to prosecutors, seeking a complete understanding of the events that unfolded.
This incident marks the second officer-involved shooting in South Carolina this year, and the first for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. In 2025 alone, the state recorded 45 such shootings, seven of which involved the sheriff’s office, highlighting the ever-present dangers faced by those sworn to protect and serve.
