Deputy Gets Shot 3 Times During a Wild Shootout With The Suspect

North Charleston, South Carolina — May 7, 2023

On the afternoon of May 7, 2023, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Deputy Evan Cubbage of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office initiated a routine traffic stop along Savannah Highway near Ravenel, at the address 4915 Savannah Highway. Deputy Cubbage, a 36-year-old law enforcement officer with over three years of service, approached the vehicle and engaged in a brief interaction with the two occupants—a female driver and a male passenger, later identified as 28-year-old James Pierce.Initially, the encounter between Deputy Cubbage and the vehicle’s occupants was described as cordial by the sheriff’s office. However, as the exchange progressed, Pierce’s behavior reportedly changed and was characterized as “squirrelly” by authorities, raising concerns about his intentions. Due to the tinted windows on the vehicle, Deputy Cubbage was unable to clearly see inside and requested that the passenger side door be opened for visibility.

Given the circumstances and Pierce’s increasingly suspicious demeanor, Deputy Cubbage requested backup. Shortly afterward, Deputy Alexander Hodge arrived on the scene to provide support. As Cubbage stood beside the passenger-side door—now open—he made an effort to maintain control of the situation. He reached for Pierce’s hands and gave him a verbal warning, telling him not to reach for anything as he appeared to be exiting the vehicle.

Suddenly, the situation escalated when Deputy Cubbage shouted, “He’s got a gun!”—alerting Deputy Hodge and signaling a clear and present threat. Within moments, Pierce opened fire on the deputies. In the chaos of the encounter, Deputy Cubbage was struck by gunfire, sustaining three gunshot wounds. In response, both deputies returned fire using their 9mm service weapons. Pierce was hit during the exchange and died at the scene. He was later confirmed to have been armed with a Glock .40-caliber handgun.

Deputy Cubbage, though seriously injured, was quickly transported to a hospital for emergency treatment. Fortunately, his injuries were determined to be serious but not life-threatening. He was released from the hospital later that same evening and is expected to make a full recovery. Deputy Hodge was not injured during the incident.

Following the shooting, the female driver of the vehicle was detained by deputies for questioning. Her identity has not been released to the public, and it remains unclear at this time whether she will face any criminal charges in connection to the incident. Investigators are continuing to look into her role and any possible involvement in the events that led to the shooting.

In accordance with department policy and standard protocol following officer-involved shootings, both Deputy Cubbage and Deputy Hodge have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has also launched an independent investigation to ensure transparency and determine whether all actions taken during the encounter were justified and in compliance with state laws and departmental policies.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office released a statement expressing support for the injured deputy and gratitude that his injuries were not life-threatening. Sheriff Kristin Graziano also thanked the public for their concern and acknowledged the courage of both deputies during the rapidly evolving and dangerous encounter.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials have reiterated the dangers officers face on even routine traffic stops, and the importance of vigilance in unpredictable situations. More details are expected to be released once the internal and external investigations have concluded, including the body camera footage, which could shed further light on the sequence of events.The incident serves as another reminder of the complex and high-risk nature of policing, where routine encounters can turn deadly in seconds, and the importance of ongoing training, preparedness, and accountability in such high-stakes environments.