Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Seneca Man on Charges Related to Recent Shooting Investigations

Joshua Mason Bliss

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------A Seneca man remains in jail today, pending a bond hearing, after his arrest yesterday on charges related to three separate investigations, including an officer involved shooting incident from last Thursday evening.

40 year old Joshua Mason Bliss, of Gail Court, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center at around 6:05pm Monday.  Bliss also has a listed address of John Waites Road in Georgetown, SC.

In total, Bliss has been charged with six counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of Breaking into a Motor Vehicle and one count each of Breach of Peace – Aggravated in Nature, Ill Treatment of Animals, Arson – 2^nd Degree, Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime and Criminal Domestic Violence – High and Aggravated.

The Attempted Murder charges, as well as the Ill Treatment of Animals and Arson – 2^nd Degree charges, were obtained after an investigation in which Deputies responded to the Gail Court Apartments on the evening of July 3rd in reference to a welfare check.  After arriving on scene, Deputies made contact with Bliss, who proceeded to go back inside his apartment.  After coming back out of his apartment, Bliss produced a pistol and fired shots at the Deputies. 

Additional Deputies arrived on scene and observed Bliss exit his apartment at the back of the apartment complex.  Bliss then fired his gun in the direction of the Deputies and one Deputy returned fire.  Bliss was ordered to drop his gun and to give up, however, Bliss disobeyed officer commands and ran from the scene.   

Deputies also discovered that Bliss had set his apartment on fire, which caused damage not only to Bliss’ apartment but neighboring apartments as well.  Emergency personnel discovered a dog dead inside of the apartment, according to an arrest warrant. 

Fire Department Units responded to the scene and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics Team) was also activated as well.  The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was also contacted, and responded to the scene, per Sheriff’s Office protocol in regards to officer involved shootings.

While conducting the investigation at the Gail Court Apartments, Deputies received word from dispatch that Bliss was reportedly shot by a homeowner at a residence on Cain Drive.  After Deputies responded to Cain Drive, they observed Bliss on the ground and the homeowner holding his pistol.  Bliss was then provided medical attention by the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, which included a SWAT team medic, and was transported to the hospital for further treatment and evaluation.  Based upon evidence obtained during the Investigation, the homeowner made contact with Bliss after hearing knocking on his door and noises from the outside.  The homeowner also observed Bliss walking around two vehicles on the property.

Bliss reportedly had a knife to his throat and continued to approach the homeowner even after the homeowner told Bliss to get on the ground.  After Bliss refused the commands of the homeowner, the homeowner fired rounds from his weapon which struck Bliss in the arm.  The evidence obtained from this investigation led to arrest warrants being obtained against Bliss on charges of Breaking into a Motor Vehicle and Breach of Peace as Bliss broke into a truck and an SUV and tore down some interior lighting at the homeowner’s residence. 

A Violent Crimes Investigator from the Sheriff’s Office also obtained arrest warrants against Bliss after a domestic violence investigation into an incident that occurred last Thursday morning at the Gail Court address.  The victim in the investigation, an adult female, provided information to a Deputy after the Thursday evening incident at the Gail Court Apartments.  Based upon evidence that was obtained during the investigation, Bliss assaulted the victim the morning of July 3^rd and threatened to kill her.  Bliss also held a pistol to the victim’s upper torso, which led to the Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime charge. 

The names of the Deputies who were the victims of the Attempted Murder charges are being withheld due to the ongoing and continuing investigation. 

In regards to the homeowner on Cain Drive, no charges will be filed against the homeowner as the shooting is considered to be a lawful act of self-defense.  The homeowners name will also not be released by the Sheriff’s Office as he is the victim of a crime.