Oconee County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. Team Activated for Barricaded Subject Inside of Vehicle

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------Earlier this afternoon, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. team was activated due to a barricaded subject inside of a vehicle.

At 1:12pm this afternoon, a Deputy assigned to the Warrants Unit initiated a traffic stop on a silver in color 2005 Lexus SUV that was being driven by 57 year old Doyle Eugene McCall, Jr. of Lisa Lane in Mountain Rest.  McCall has an active Magistrate Bench Warrant for Driving under Suspension.  McCall is also due in court next week on a charge of Drug Trafficking that was obtained by a partnering law enforcement agency.

McCall pulled over on Sheep Farm Road near Alberts Road, which is near the Bountyland Community.  The Deputy then approached the vehicle that McCall was in.  However, McCall pulled away and a pursuit began.  The pursuit terminated when McCall wrecked his vehicle on Highway 183 and Unity Road, which is near the city limits of Walhalla at approximately 1:25pm.  The Lexus ended up on its driver’s side in a ditch on the side of the road. 

After the accident, Deputies discovered that there was a female passenger inside of the vehicle and that McCall was armed with a gun.  Crisis negotiators were called to the scene and the Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. was activated at approximately 1:31pm.   

Highway 183 was shut down from W. Bear Swamp Road to near Winding Way with assistance from the Walhalla Police Department.  The female passenger was able to leave the vehicle unharmed.  Negotiators made contact with McCall in an attempt to resolve the situation peacefully as McCall remained in the vehicle armed with a pistol. 

Paramedics also responded to the scene as well in order to provide medical treatment to McCall or any Deputies that may need assistance due to the heat.  A doctor assigned to the Sheriff’s Office team also responded and stood by to provide medical assistance if needed. 

This evening, McCall surrendered peacefully to Deputies as he crawled out of the vehicle and was taken into custody at approximately 7:08pm.  McCall was transported by ambulance to the hospital for further treatment and evaluation by paramedics. 

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and any further information will be released at the appropriate time.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Walhalla Police Department for their assistance and help today.