Suspect shot dead after standoff with Florence police. Here's what we know. (2024)

FLORENCE— One person is dead after a standoff between police and a suspect who barricaded himself inside his home escalated into an exchange of gunfire, Florence police said.

The Florence County coroner said the suspect, 41-year-old Matthew Paul Berry of Florence, died of injuries sustained during the shooting. Berry was wanted in connection with a suspected homicide that occurred July 21.

According to a news release, Florence law enforcement tried to serve a warrant late on July 22 at Berry's residence on Brittany Drive before he barricaded himself inside his home.

The street, which has multiple apartment complexes, is in southwest Florence.

The coroner said Berry began firing at law enforcement when they arrived.

Members of the Florence Police Department's Emergency Response Team and the Florence County Sheriff's Office's SWAT team tried to arrest the suspect, according to a statement from the department.

The State Law Enforcement Division confirmed that it was investigating the shooting.

The Florence Police Department's investigation stems from a suspected homicide on July 21. Officers responded that morning to Colonial Gardens Apartments in southern Florence after a report of gunshots.

They found a man lying in the parking lot near a running vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds.

The Florence County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Idris Chance Ali Cooper, a 34-year-old Florence resident.

First responders rendered aid to Cooper, but he died at the scene.

This is a developing story and may be updated as more information becomes available.