Suspect shot by deputies found justified after stabbing K-9

GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC (WSPA) – The investigation into the shooting of a man who allegedly stabbed K-9 Micky has been deemed justified by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

We previously reported that Greenville County deputies worked with the Department of Homeland Security to issue an arrest warrant for a suspect outside of Woodlawn Memorial Park on Pine Knoll Drive on May 13.

Sheriff Hobart Lewis said the suspect would not comply with deputies' commands and K-9 Micky was deployed. Lewis said the suspect stabbed K-9 Micky multiple times.

Deputies identified the suspect as James Edgar Hopkins.

Deputies attempted to use bean bags and Tasers as method force as well as gunshots to arrest Hopkins.

The sheriff's office said the gunshots did not hit Hopkins.

Hopkins, still armed with the knife, ran across the street to the Bank of America parking lot. The bank was open at the time.

Deputies followed Hopkins to the bank where he turned and walked toward deputies with the knife.

That's when three different officers fired their service weapons at the suspect.

The suspect was taken by EMS to the hospital and K-9 Mickey was taken to an emergency veterinarian where he underwent surgery.

K-9 Micky has since shown great improvement and has returned to training with his handler.

Sheriff Lewis said the three deputies who fired their weapons were justified in using deadly force, per the Sheriff's Office's use of force policy.