A North Charleston police SWAT officer shot and killed a 57-year-old man during a hostage situation on Charter Drive on Sunday, Oct. 25.

The Charleston County Coroner's Office identified the man as Russell A. Scudder-Sumpter, a North Charleston resident, according to the Post and Courier. Scudder-Sumpter was killed at approximately 8 p.m. in the 5300 block of Charter Drive, Count on 2 reported, after police say he allegedly barricaded himself inside a home with a hostage.

The incident began around 5 p.m. when a North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) officer responded to a reported stabbing, according to an NCPD statement. Officers found a woman who had been stabbed multiple times on the porch of a nearby home, WJCL reported. A second wounded woman was found inside the home where the man was located, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

It is unclear whether the hostage referenced in NCPD's statement and the second wounded woman described by SLED are the same person.

Police said the suspect then barricaded himself inside the residence with a hostage. NCPD called in crisis negotiators and its SWAT team.

After negotiations failed, the SWAT team breached the home. An officer shot Scudder-Sumpter during the encounter inside the residence, according to officials. SLED did not provide details about what immediately preceded the gunfire.

Scudder-Sumpter died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, police said. The hostage was safely removed and treated by first responders.

Both injured women were taken to local hospitals, according to Count on 2. No officers were injured. Neither NCPD nor SLED has provided an update on the women's conditions.

The identity of the officer who fired the shot has not been released.

Two investigations underway

NCPD is investigating the stabbing with assistance from the Charleston County Coroner's Office. At the department's request, SLED is conducting a separate investigation into the use of force.

SLED said its agents plan to interview witnesses, collect evidence and conduct forensic testing as needed. The agency said it will send its findings to prosecutors. SLED declined to release additional information at this time.

The shooting was the 37th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina in 2026 and the first involving NCPD, according to SLED.

The Post and Courier reported that Scudder-Sumpter had no history of arrests in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.