Florence, SC – Authorities have confirmed that 41-year-old Matthew Barry was fatally shot by officers in Florence four days after he became a murder suspect. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced on Friday that they are investigating the shooting that took place at the Brittany Place apartment complex on Monday night. Despite previous inquiries from News13, SLED had not released any details about the incident until late afternoon on Friday.
Barry had been wanted for the murder of Idris Chance Ali Cooper, 34, at the Colonial Drive Apartments on Sunday. Florence police reported that Barry opened fire on officers who arrived at his apartment to serve the murder warrant. The suspect then barricaded himself inside his apartment, resulting in a fatal exchange of gunfire where Barry died and no officers were injured.
The family of Matthew Barry expressed shock at the deadly confrontation, noting their lack of knowledge surrounding the events leading up to the shooting. SLED’s investigation into the incident was initiated at the request of the Florence Police Department and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, following standard procedures for officer-involved shootings. The agency assured that a thorough and independent criminal investigation is underway, with information to be disclosed to prosecutors upon completion.
Officials noted that the 27th officer-involved shooting in the state for 2024 occurred in Florence, which was the first involving the local police department. Comparatively, there were 43 officer-involved shootings statewide in 2023, none of which took place in Florence. SLED continues to interview witnesses and gather evidence for forensic testing as they work towards completing the investigation.
The motive behind Matthew Barry’s actions remains unclear, leaving both authorities and the suspect’s family seeking answers. SLED emphasized their commitment to conducting a comprehensive investigation and delivering the necessary information to legal authorities. As the inquiry progresses, more details about the case are expected to come to light, shedding further light on the tragic events that unfolded in Florence.