Greenville Officer Ambushed in Patrol Car; Suspect Dead Following Shootout
Police in Greenville, South Carolina, are investigating an ambush that left an officer injured after a suspect opened fire on him while he was in his patrol car. The incident, which was captured on surveillance video, escalated into a shootout that resulted in the suspect being found dead.
Why It Matters
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about officer safety and the prevalence of gun violence in communities. With increasing incidents of ambush-style attacks on law enforcement, the need for enhanced security measures and proactive community engagement is critical for ensuring public and officer safety.
Key Developments
- On Sunday, a marked patrol car in Greenville was ambushed by a suspect who fired multiple shots while driving beside it.
- The injured officer was taken to the hospital but has since been released.
- Authorities have identified the suspect as 42-year-old David William Lane, who was later found dead following a brief police chase.
- The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office had received multiple complaints regarding Lane’s behavior in the days leading up to the ambush but had not deemed it warranting an arrest.
- In response to residents’ concerns, off-duty sheriff’s deputies were hired for security at the Hunting Downs apartment complex where Lane had been seen.
Full Report
Incident Overview
The attack occurred late Sunday night. Surveillance footage shows Lane’s vehicle entering a parking lot and stopping alongside the officer’s patrol car. Gunfire erupted moments later, with the suspect fleeing the scene shortly after the assault, leaving the officer injured inside his vehicle.
After the ambush, deputies located Lane’s vehicle, which led to a brief chase involving multiple exchanges of gunfire. This pursuit ended with a crash, and Lane was subsequently found dead in his vehicle.
Officer’s Condition and Response
The injured officer was promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment and has since been released. The sheriff emphasized the ambush nature of the attack, reinforcing the seriousness of the situation.
Previous Complaints Against the Suspect
In the weeks leading up to the shooting, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office had received several complaints concerning Lane’s behavior. Residents reported his unsettling comments and actions, prompting deputies to investigate. Although the behavior raised alarms, it did not meet the threshold for a criminal arrest warrant at the time.
As an additional precaution, following a reported stalking incident involving Lane, security measures were intensified at the Hunting Downs apartment complex starting January 8, including the deployment of off-duty deputies.
Investigative Response
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is conducting an independent investigation into the ambush, which includes witness interviews and forensic analysis. No further updates have been provided as the investigation is ongoing.
Context & Previous Events
This shooting marks the second officer-involved shooting in South Carolina in 2026 and is the first this year involving the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. The state recorded 45 officer-involved shootings in 2025, with seven incidents associated with the sheriff’s office.
In light of this incident, community leaders and law enforcement agencies are reaffirming their commitment to enhancing safety measures and addressing the factors contributing to such violent outbreaks.
