What if You Shot Someone in Self Defense in Florence, South Carolina? Do you know what to do?

Описание: What would you do if you had to pull the trigger in self-defense, but instead of being treated as a victim, you were arrested and charged with attempted murder in South Carolina?

Hi, I’m Greg McCollum, attorney and founder of the Complete Legal Defense Team here in South Carolina.

This is the real story—names changed—of how fast a lawful act of self-defense in Florence, SC turned into an attempted murder case. It shows why you must act quickly and have the right defense team by your side.

The Night Everything Changed

Sam was visiting a friend, Tammy, at her Florence home on a quiet dead-end gravel road. Tammy’s ex-boyfriend Rosco was violent, hot-headed, and often drunk. Sam knew him by reputation and had seen him fight before.

When Rosco found out Sam was there, he exploded. He jumped in his truck, sped toward the house, and called Tammy screaming: “I’m almost there. I’m going to kill Sam.”

Tammy ran to the end of the driveway to try to stop him. Sam had only seconds to decide what to do.

No Escape

Sam tried to leave. He went out the back door and headed to his car. But Rosco flew down the driveway, slammed his truck in front of Sam’s car, and blocked him in.

Rosco leapt out, leaving the door hanging open, and charged at Sam yelling he was going to kill him.

Sam had no way out.

The Shot

Sam wasn’t looking for trouble. He lawfully carried a firearm under his South Carolina concealed weapons permit. He was trained. He knew the law.

With no chance to retreat, and Rosco rushing at him, Sam pulled his gun and fired once. The shot hit Rosco in the midsection. He collapsed. Tammy screamed and called 911.

Sam panicked. Instead of waiting for police, he fled the scene. Later, he called us.

Step One: Protecting Sam from Immediate Arrest

We knew law enforcement would be looking for him. If they found him first, he’d be interrogated all night, pressured to talk, and possibly denied access to his lawyer until after making damaging statements.

So we acted fast. We arranged for Sam to surrender the next morning at the Florence County Detention Center. At bond court, we explained:

He had no prior criminal record.

He was a law-abiding citizen with a good job.

He was an invited guest with the legal right to be there.

And most importantly: this was self-defense.

The judge set bond, and Sam was released.

Why Prosecutors Still Charged Him

Despite the evidence, the solicitor’s office charged him with attempted murder. Their reasoning? “If Sam was truly justified, why did he leave?”

This is common in self-defense cases. Prosecutors and police second-guess victims. They use natural fight-or-flight responses as if they were proof of guilt. But the truth is: when your life is threatened, adrenaline takes over. You don’t calmly plan your next steps—you react.

South Carolina Self-Defense Law

In South Carolina, the law is clear:

You have no duty to retreat.

If you’re lawfully present, you may stand your ground.

As an invited guest, Sam had the same rights Tammy did inside her home and on her property.

You can use deadly force if you reasonably believe you face death or great bodily injury.

By law, Sam did what he was entitled to do.

The Stand Your Ground Motion

We filed a Stand Your Ground motion. We laid out everything: Rosco’s threats, his charge at Sam, the blocked driveway, the lack of escape. We showed diagrams, maps, photos.

The judge sympathized but declined to dismiss the case, saying it should go to a jury. But our hearing damaged the prosecution’s case. Word reached the elected District Attorney, who told his team to back off.

The Plea Deal

The prosecutors offered a deal: plead guilty to attempted murder, receive probation.

We didn’t like it. Sam was justified. Attempted murder is a serious felony. But after months of stress, losing jobs, and facing trial uncertainty, Sam chose certainty. He accepted probation and walked free.

The Lesson

Self-defense is not simple. Even if you act lawfully, you may still be arrested, jailed, and prosecuted. Prosecutors will scrutinize every move you make. Your future will hang in the balance.

That’s why you need a defense team that understands South Carolina self-defense law and has the experience to fight back.

At the Complete Legal Defense Team, we defend people just like Sam—professionals, parents, visitors, anyone suddenly accused after protecting themselves. We know Florence County courts. We know how prosecutors think. And we know how to fight attempted murder charges, gun charges, and self-defense cases across South Carolina.

If you’ve been charged after a self-defense shooting, call us. Don’t wait. Your freedom, your reputation, and your future are too important.

Complete Legal Defense Team – We defend the accused who have a lot to lose.

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