The Associated Press
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. - More than a decade before he gunned down two police officers, Gary Douglas held a shotgun and told a sheriff’s deputy to back away from his home or he would “drop him.”
That standoff ended peacefully - with Douglas surrendering and being sent for a psychiatric evaluation. But, on Sunday, he made a similar threat from the front porch of the same mobile home. Shotgun in hand, he told the two officers they had started the confrontation. “Now I’m gonna finish it,” Douglas said, according to a neighbor interviewed by The (Charleston) Post and Courier.
Moncks Corner police Officers Marcus Stiles, 26, and Lonnie Wells, 40, were slain. The officers went to the home when a witness reported two people arguing in a truck whose registration was traced to the home.
Police have not said exactly what led to the shooting, but a witness told the newspaper said she saw Douglas, 51, threaten police and shoot the officers.
Wells was found dead near a patrol car. Stiles, who was shot in the head, died later at a hospital.
Moments after the shots were fired, Douglas stole a police cruiser and sped toward a highway roadblock. Witnesses said more shots rang out.
Douglas was shot at his home and the roadblock. He died from a police bullet, but officials are not sure who fired the fatal shot.
Douglas had a history of domestic violence, according to Family Court records obtained by the newspaper. Four protection orders to keep him away from two ex-wives were issued between 1995 and 2000, the newspaper reported.
“He couldn’t accept being left by women,” said Berkeley County coroner Glenn Rhoad, who worked as a hostage negotiator during the 1995 standoff at Douglas’ home.
Funeral services for the officers was scheduled for Saturday in the Berkeley High School gymnasium.