Union County Shooting (Added: July 14, 2011)
A clerk was inured in a Union County shooting Wednesday night. (more)
Credit: Union County
Eison was shot and killed by deputies after a convienence store shooting.
Credit: WSPA
An investigation is underway into an officer-involved shooting that...
Officers are on the scene of a officer-involved shooting at Kelly's One Stop on...
UNION COUNTY, S.C. --
Union deputies shot and killed a man they say shot at a convenience store clerk Wednesday night.
Union County Sheriff David Taylor said Rick Lee Eison, 52, went to the Kelly's One Stop on Jonesville Lockhart Highway just before 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and began firing shots at the people inside.
Taylor said there were two children and three adults inside, including the clerk, 47-year-old Sherlyn Genise Brannon who Taylor said was Eison's target.
Taylor said Eison and Brannon knew each other, but he was unsure of their relationship, but he mentioned several times during his news conference that domestic violence is a problem that never stops.
Brannon was shot four times, but she survived and is being treated at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
Taylor said Eison fired multiple rounds and even reloaded once inside the store. The gunman pointed his weapon at one of the children who are believed to be between 10 and 12 years old and are of some relation to the clerk, Taylor said.
Taylor said the people inside the store were ducking for cover, including one person who ran into the beer cooler to seek shelter. Eison fired two shots into the cooler, but the only person hit was the clerk.
By that point, calls were pouring into 911 and deputies were en route. Once deputies arrived, Taylor said Eison came out of the store and pointed his gun at Deputy Nathan Jared Gilstrap.
Taylor said Gilstrap gave Eison multiple warnings to drop the gun, and when he would not, Gilstrap fired shots and Eison died.
Taylor said less than 20 feet separated his deputy and the gunman when the officer fired.
The S.C. Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting, and as is protocol, Gilstrap has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Gilstrap joined the department in March 2006, and he was a member of SWAT, Taylor said.
Taylor said this is the second unfortunate shooting in this county this week. Earlier this week, deputies say a man shot his wife and then killed himself.
Taylor expressed sorrow for the Laurens County Sheriff's Office which also had a deputy-involved shooting Thursday night. Deputy Roger Rice, 29, was shot and killed by a suspect there during a standoff with officers.
"Our guys got to come home last night, but unfortunately one in Laurens County did not," Taylor said, and added, "A lot of families were affected last night, and we need to keep them all in our prayers."
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