Deputy shot, police dog killed in manhunt for suspect accused of opening fire on SC officers

LEE COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – The Horry County Police Department has released new details in its investigation into a nationwide manhunt that ended in a police-involved shooting.

The incident stems from an incident in McBee, where 27-year-old Alston Modlin allegedly shot a police officer during a traffic stop on Thursday evening.

Authorities then began searching for Modlin and issued a statewide Blue Alert before the pursuit led them to an area near Una Road in Lee County, where HCPD said the police-involved shooting occurred Friday morning.

The Lee County Coroner's Office later identified Modlin as the suspect killed in the Friday morning shooting. According to the HCPD, that shooting also injured a Lee County officer and killed a canine unit.

The HCPD was assigned to lead the investigation into the suspect's death as the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Lee County Sheriff's Office may have been involved in the case.

In a statement, Lee County Sheriff Daniel Simon said he was grateful for the help of state and other regional agencies.

“There has been so much support from the community near and far, and we are grateful for each person and agency that has reached out to check on us and pray for us,” he said. “We are a smaller agency and have to wear multiple hats here. We are deeply saddened by the loss of K-9 Mikka, who was as much a member of our team as my injured Chief Deputy.”

The HCPD said the scene was cleared around 2 a.m. Saturday, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.

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