Circumstances of Mauldin Man's Shooting Death Remain Unclear

the allegation was that the Mauldin man was armed with a gun and posing a threat.

But today, as Swilling is scheduled to be buried, authorities remain mum on whether Swilling was armed or not, the Greenville News reported. 

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the case, but so far neither the police department nor the sheriff's office have said whether Swilling was armed with a gun before the shooting occurred early Monday morning.

The Sheriff's Office is conducting a "complete and thorough" investigation of the shooting, said Master Deputy Laura Campbell. Once it's completed, the office will release details on how many shots were fired and how many times Swilling was hit, she said. The police department is also conducting it's own review of the incident, the paper reported.

Deputy Coroner Jeff Fowler said Swilling, a 1999 graduate of Mauldin High School, died of multiple gunshots, including a shot to the chest.

On Monday just after 3 a.m., a Greenville City Police Officer walked out of the back door of the Law Enforcement Center headed to his patrol vehicle. While walking to his car Swilling approached him in the parking lot and presented what appeared to be a weapon, according to a joint Greenville Police and Greenville Sheriff's Office press release.

The officer was able to get the attention of a deputy who was sitting in his patrol vehicle typing a report. The officer told the deputy that Swilling had a gun and the subject began advancing on both the deputy and officer in a threatening manner, the release said.

Fearing for their safety, both the deputy and officer fired shots at Swilling, striking him at least one time causing him to fall to the ground. Swilling got up and continued to advance towards the deputy and officer in a threatening manner. Both the deputy and officer began moving around the deputy’s patrol vehicle to stay behind cover as the subject continued to advance on them. The deputy and officer continued to fire at Swilling, striking him at least one more time. EMS responded and pronounced Swilling dead, according to the release.

The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative duty and the city police officer has been placed on administrative leave.

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