Coroner identifies man killed in Fort Mill deputy-involved shooting
Authorities have released the name of the man who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy Friday morning in Fort Mill, a killing the family calls “unjust” as they seek funds to transport his body back to Honduras.
According to the coroner’s office, investigators responded to Pine Ridge Court on Friday to assist with an officer-involved shooting. The deceased has been identified as Allan Josue Topete-Guevara, 22, of Fort Mill. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy and toxicology testing are scheduled to be completed this week, with results pending. The incident remains under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the York County Coroner’s Office.
What investigators say happened
Earlier Friday, deputies were called to a home on Pine Ridge Court around 9:20 a.m. after receiving a report of a person who was unconscious and not breathing. The York County Sheriff’s Office said the individual later regained consciousness and was found inside the home holding a knife.
Authorities said the person barricaded themselves inside a room. A deputy attempted to persuade the individual to put the knife down and come out, but officials said the person refused to comply. When the door was opened, the individual allegedly charged toward the deputy while still armed, according to the sheriff’s office.
The deputy fired his weapon, fatally wounding the individual. No deputies were injured during the incident.
Sheriff Tony Breeden requested that SLED take over the investigation, which is standard procedure in deputy-involved shootings. The deputy involved has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Family response
Meanwhile, Topete-Guevara’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign organized by Angie Bojorquez and Monica Portillo. In the fundraiser, the family describes the shooting as an “unjust” killing and says Topete-Guevara was 22 years old with “his whole life ahead of him.”
“His life was taken in a matter of seconds, violently and unexpectedly,” the translated message says. “Allan had his whole life ahead of him, dreams to fulfill, and was deeply loved by his family and everyone who knew him. This unjust loss has left his family completely devastated, especially his mother, who is currently in Honduras.”
The message states that his mother, who is currently in Honduras, is facing the financial burden of repatriating his body and covering funeral and memorial expenses. According to the family, funds raised will be used for transportation of his body to Honduras, funeral costs, and related expenses.
