MOUNT PLEASANT, SC November 6 2019 Mount Pleasant Police say a large police presence at the Wando Crossing shopping center on Monday afternoon was due to a person who had barricaded themselves inside a car who was threatening to be armed.
As of 2:15 p.m., police said the suspect identified as Richard Rushing had been taken into custody. He was taken to the hospital for treatment, according to Inspector Chip Googe,
ABC News 4 observed a SWAT team approach the subject’s vehicle prior to the arrest, whereupon an officer atop the armored vehicle fired multiple rounds of some projectile into the suspect vehicle. SWAT officers then exited their vehicle armed, and continued firing rounds into the suspect car.
As of 2:25 p.m., an ambulance had arrived, and medical personnel appeared to be tending to the suspect.
Video of the standoff at the Wando Crossing shopping center in Mount Pleasant. (WCIV)
The center of police activity appeared to be outside the Walmart. A Mount Pleasant Police spokesperson on the scene tells ABC News 4 the person in the car had threatened to have a weapon, but police weren’t sure if they do.
Customers of stores including T.J. Maxx, Office Depot, Michaels and others in the shopping center may see impacts from the police activity. Police asked people to avoid the area.
“As soon as we got in there, they shut the doors and told us to get back away from the windows and they weren’t letting us close to the doors,” said Michelle Walsh, a shopper who was locked inside TJ Maxx during the incident. “Staff was very friendly. They gave out waters, they gave us seats, gave chips.”
“I saw a man who had looked sketchy. He had his windows down smoking something,” said Kathern Ernandez, who was parked beside the suspect. “I got out of the car and five minutes later all I know is that the store was on lockdown. We were all away from the windows I was just trying to keep busy and I just kept shopping and looking around so I didn’t have to think about it.”
“ I saw three gentlemen run past me with AK-47s and large black vests and I immediately thought it was something to do with a bomb I thought bomb,” said Adrienne Bowling, who was also locked inside TJ Maxx during the incident.
Capt. Roger Antonio with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office says deputies received information from a source that a person was making threats to harm people at a Walmart, in addition to suicidal comments. The source did not identify a specific person or Walmart.
Deputies and officers searched for the person after identifying him, and Mount Pleasant Police officers located him at the Wando Crossing shopping center, Capt. Antonio said.
Mount Pleasant Police Department is the lead investigative agency for this case.
WCIV

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