By David Thackman
The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)
YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Another York County deputy who was shot this week during an ambush by a domestic violence suspect is back home and resting after days in a Charlotte hospital.
Sheriff’s K-9 supervisor Sgt. Randy Clinton was discharged late Friday night from Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte after undergoing surgeries. He and three other York County law enforcement officials were attacked and shot Jan. 16 during a domestic violence call and manhunt near York.
According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton returned home from the hospital and is “resting comfortably.” About 25 officers from the York County Sheriff’s Office and the Rock Hill Police Department came out to welcome Clinton back home, the sheriff’s office said.
Clinton underwent two surgeries. He was the first officer shot in the incident that started late Monday and continued into Tuesday.
Clinton has served with the York County Sheriff’s Office for 34 years, according to York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson. Clinton is the K-9 unit supervisor and has handled police dogs for three decades.
York Police Department Sgt. Kyle Cummings, also shot, was discharged from the hospital Thursday.
York County Sheriff Sgt. Buddy Brown is still hospitalized in Charlotte.
Det. Mike Doty, who served with the sheriff’s office for 12 years, died Wednesday. His funeral is at noon Monday at Calvary Church in Charlotte.
A public candlelight vigil and ecumenical prayer service for the four officers is at 5 p.m. Sunday in front of the York County Courthouse in York.
The suspect in the shooting, Christian Thomas McCall, 47, of York, remains hospitalized, and has not been charged.
Doty, Cummings and Brown all were working as SWAT members when they were shot while searching for McCall, police said.
Prosecutors have said there is probable cause to charge McCall with three counts of attempted murder for the shooting of three officers. The same probable cause exists for Doty’s death, prosecutors have said.
Doty started with the sheriff’s office in 2006 after working for the York Police Department. He worked as a detective with the York County drug unit, as well as other duties including being a member of the SWAT team.
https://www.facebook.com/YorkCountySheriffSC/posts/956354051179509
The S.C. General Assembly will honor Doty and the other wounded officers with a moment of silence and dedication of the day’s business.
Many York County leaders have condemned the shooting, including the York County legislative delegation. Reps. John King, D-Rock Hill; Tommy Pope, R-York; and Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill, have spoken out against the attack on the “dedicated” officers.
The York County Sheriff’s Office has set up an informational hotline number at 803-325-2400 for information regarding funeral arrangements, media funeral staging areas, donating monetary funds to the officers and donating food or other items to deputies.
©2018 The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)