UPDATED: Search Continues For Suspect Who Shot North Augusta Public Safety Officer

Updated release from Capt. Troy Elwell, with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office: The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division have obtained warrants on Timothy Houston, 40, of the 1900 block of Seaborn Drive, in North Augusta, SC,  for the shooting of a North Augusta Department of Public Safety officer on June 3rd. Timothy Houston will be charged with Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Crime. Houston should be considered armed and dangerous. He was last seen driving a early 90’s white four door Cadillac with a Georgia tag of AYQ 8255.

Anyone with information on Timothy Houston’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office: (800) 922-9709 or South Carolina Law Enforcement Division: (803) 737-9000. Individuals also should call Crimestoppers of the Midlands: (888) CRIME – SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.

NOON UPDATE: Officer Kevin Hayes is resting at home after being treated and released at MCG. The reason for the pursuit was because the car had plates on it that didn’t belong on the suspect’s car. Several law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

North Augusta, SC—The search continues for the suspect on the run after shooting a North Augusta Department of Public Safety officer.

The shooting happened during a car chase on Bradleyville Road, around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

Police say the chase began when they pulled over suspect Timothy Houston.

North Augusta Police say Houston turned and opened fire…the bullet reportedly travelled through the officer’s windshield, grazing the officer’s face. The officer was able to return fire, but was unable to continue the chase…and that’s how Houston got away.

Lt. Tim Pearson, North Augusta Department of Public Safety: “We fully anticipate a speedy recovery, and him to come back to work, because that’s just the caliber of officer that he is, he’s a good guy.“

The vehicle is described as a white cadillac, 4-door, late 80’s or early 90’s model, full size, possibly an Eldorado. The tag number is AYQ 8255. It is not known if it is a South Carolina or Georgia plate.

The search continues in Augusta and North Augusta for Houston. If you know Houston’s whereabouts, please contact the North Augusta Department of Public Safety.