Suspect Held in Holiday Attempted Murder

A Hanahan man is being held on attempted murder charges following a Thanksgiving attack witnessed by officers at the scene who were ready to fire on the suspect before he finally gave up.

James Everett Tolbert, 48, of Columbia, is being held on a $25,000 bond. His girlfriend, 49-year-old Elise Reese, was charged with second degree assault and battery. She is being held on a $5,000 bond.

Officers responded to 1006 Waring Road at 11:10 p.m. on Nov. 24 in reference to a disturbance, according to the initial report from police.

Elise had dialed 911 allegedly telling the dispatcher that if officers didn't get there, they "would need to send the Coroner."

Police arrived to find Tolbert and Reese yelling in the middle of the road. They separated the couple and learned the two were upset at a third party, Jerome Waring.

Tolbert then walked away from the scene as Reese reportedly warned police that they needed to hurry up or someone was going to end up dead as Waring came out of a nearby trailer.

According to police, Reese grabbed a rake and swung at Waring, missing him. Tolbert jumped on victim and was joined by Reese, police said. Not heeding calls to stop, officers tased both Tolbert and Reese.

The woman stopped fighting, but Tolbert reportedly continued. Officers said at this point, Tolbert told the victim, "I am going to kill you." Officers then witnessed as Tolbert allegedly attempted to stab Waring.

One officer drew his gun and warned Tolbert to drop the knife. The suspect then allegedly got off of the victim, but wouldn't drop the knife. The initial police report notes that the officer was ready to shoot, but could not because Reese and an elderly woman on a porch at the back of the lot were in the line of fire.

After several commands, Tolbert dropped the knife and began walking towards the patrol car, where he was then arrested and handcuffed. Reese also was arrested at the scene.