Newly released video sheds light on a disturbing early-morning ambush that left a Greenville police officer wounded and a deeply troubled suspect dead.
According to authorities, the incident unfolded just before dawn Sunday when 39-year-old David Lane arrived at the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center.
Surveillance video shows Lane opening fire on an officer’s patrol vehicle, unleashing multiple rounds in what investigators describe as a deliberate attack.
The footage, released by SLED, is difficult to watch and makes clear this was no accidental encounter.
Investigators say Lane appears to have used incendiary ammunition.
Some types of incendiary ammo can burn at temperatures approaching 5,000 degrees and are heavily regulated or outright illegal in South Carolina, depending on the specific type involved.
After the ambush, law enforcement identified Lane as the suspect and attempted to locate him. A chase followed, ending on Roper Mountain Road near the apartment complex where Lane lived.
Authorities say Lane died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during that encounter.
As WYFF News 4 reported, coworkers and neighbors say Lane had been unraveling for some time. Several described him as paranoid, claiming he believed neighbors were watching or stalking him.
One former coworker said Lane talked about holding a gun to the wall or door, convinced someone was about to break in. Another said Lane sent unsolicited videos of firearms and frequently bragged about recent gun purchases.
Neighbors at the Huntington Downs apartment complex had grown so concerned that the property coordinated with the sheriff’s office to have an off-duty deputy providing security.
At least one neighbor, too frightened to appear on camera, shared videos reportedly showing Lane threatening residents just days before the shooting.
Another clip allegedly shows Lane leaving the apartment with a gun on the morning of the attack.
Financial stress may also have played a role. Former coworkers told reporters Lane’s bank account was overdrawn and that he had recently asked to borrow $1,500.
Court records show his apartment complex had filed to terminate his lease, with a judgment expected just days after the shooting.
The wounded officer, struck during the ambush, is now home recovering and is expected to make a full recovery. A rare bright spot in an otherwise grim case.
SLED has taken over the investigation, which is standard in officer-involved shootings. Authorities say additional information and video are expected to be released later this month.
For neighbors and coworkers, the outcome was horrifying. But not entirely surprising. Several told reporters they feared Lane was heading toward violence, saying it felt like “only a matter of time.”
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