Suspect In Deadly Aiken Shootout With Deputies Identified

Aiken, SC—According to Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton, the decedent from Friday morning’s shootout with Aiken County Sheriff’s Office deputies has been positively identified as Ronald Hamilton Jr., 26, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Carlton says it is not clear, at this time, why Hamilton was in Aiken, SC Friday. He has been estranged from other family members for approximately 4-6 months.

Hamilton was pronounced dead at approximately 7:00 a.m. Friday, after being shot by an Aiken County deputy, who defended himself while investigating a call at the Four Seasons convenience store, on Whiskey Road, in Aiken.

Hamilton died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. It was initially reported that Hamilton was shot in the face, however autopsy results showed that this was not the case. Hamilton received fatal injuries to the lung, major arteries of the upper heart and spine.

This case is being investigated by SLED and the Aiken County Coroner’s Office.