A large-scale manhunt is currently underway in Aiken County, South Carolina, following a shooting incident that left a sheriff’s deputy injured in the line of duty. The incident occurred late Wednesday night, around 11:30 p.m., in the area of S.C. 19 and Shiloh Heights Road in Aiken. According to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement initiated a traffic stop involving a vehicle containing two individuals. During the stop, one occupant exited the vehicle and fled on foot, prompting a deputy to pursue the suspect. The fleeing individual then opened fire, striking the deputy. The suspect remains at large, and authorities have described the situation as an active manhunt. The injured deputy was transported to a local hospital and underwent surgery. While initial reports indicated the deputy was in stable condition, later updates from officials confirmed that the deputy has been released from the hospital and is currently recovering at home. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has taken over the investigation into the shooting. Law enforcement initially blocked off the area where the shooting occurred to facilitate the search for a silver Hyundai Tucson believed to be involved in the incident. Early Thursday morning, the sheriff’s office confirmed that the vehicle had been located, though the investigation remains ongoing. No arrests have been made, and the identity of the suspect has not been publicly released. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office has urged the public to keep the deputy in their prayers and has asked anyone with information regarding the shooting or the suspect’s whereabouts to contact 911. This incident marks the fourth shooting involving an Aiken County Sheriff’s Office member in 2026 and the second such incident in October. The agency is cooperating fully with SLED as they work to locate the armed suspect.