It was a routine traffic stop that turned violent in a matter of seconds. On Monday, April 20, along a quiet stretch of Interstate 85 in Anderson County, a sheriff’s deputy ended up fighting for his life after a suspect suddenly opened fire.
Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office had pulled over a Dodge Challenger near the 11-mile marker. At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The primary deputy approached the vehicle and began speaking with the driver, later identified as Austin Derrell Robertson.
Sensing something was off, the deputy called for backup. A second deputy arrived shortly after, stepping into what quickly became a dangerous situation.
According to authorities, Robertson suddenly reached inside the vehicle, pulled out a firearm, and opened fire without warning. The assisting deputy was struck during the gunfire, collapsing at the scene with life-threatening injuries.
The first deputy reacted immediately, returning fire in defense. Robertson was hit and fatally wounded. Officials later confirmed he died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head, a death now officially ruled a homicide.
Emergency crews rushed in within minutes. The wounded deputy was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he remains in critical care. Despite the severity of his injuries, there is cautious hope—he is expected to survive.
Investigators say many questions remain unanswered. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has taken over the case, working alongside local authorities and the coroner’s office to piece together what led to the sudden eruption of violence.
For now, that stretch of I-85 stands as a reminder of how quickly routine police work can turn into a life-or-death moment. Officials say more details will be released as the investigation continues.
