Man shot and killed by North Charleston police officers had ‘plastic object’ shaped like handgun, SLED says

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — A man who was shot and killed by North Charleston police officers last week was armed with a “plastic object” shaped like a handgun, according to preliminary findings from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

The Nov. 29 incident began when an off-duty officer working at a CARTA bus station was alerted by patrons of a man with a firearm, and backup was requested.

Officers responded to the scene shortly after 3:30 p.m. and located the suspect — later identified as 47-year-old Noland H. Clark — on Cherokee Street. When confronted, Clark reportedly pointed a gun at them and officers discharged their firearms, striking him.

Officers attempted life-saving measures, but Clark ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

An initial investigation by SLED determined that the object seen by witnesses and law enforcement officials was a “plastic object, painted black, and shaped like a handgun,” according to a spokesperson.

No officers were injured during the encounter.

The investigation is ongoing.