The man who allegedly shot and killed a South Carolina police officer responding to a call at a mall is in custody and has been charged with murder, according to Fox News. The suspect, Jarvis Hall, was reportedly carrying both a gun and a knife when he was arrested. The 34-year-old has criminal charges on his record, and was previously fined for unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Two police officers responded to a call about a suspicious person at the Richland Mall in Forest Acres, S.C., around 8 a.m. this morning. When they approached the suspect, he fled through the mall, reported Fox News.
Officer Greg Alia struggled with the suspect and was shot. He died from his injuries at the hospital later in the day.
Alia, 32, served on the police force for seven years. He was a husband and father of a young baby, said Forest Acres Police Chief Gene Sealy. Alia attended Richland Northeast High School and then went on to the University of South Carolina, according to the State.
The flags outside the Forest Acres Police Department are flying at half-staff now to honor Alia. The department is accepting donations on behalf of his family.
"[Alia] was an outstanding young man, he was an outstanding police officer, he was a role model for other officers," said Sealy, according to WIST10.
"The Town of Forest Acres is a close-knit family and the entire community is heartbroken... We are coming together to support our police officers and the Alia family," said Forest Acres Mayor Frank Brunson in an official statement.
