Johnny Andrew Collins Jr. Obituary, Death: Man Fatally Shot by Deputies During Greer Arrest Identified by Coroner

Johnny Andrew Collins Jr. Obituary, Death – A man who was shot and killed by law enforcement in Greer, South Carolina, has been identified by local authorities. According to Kristine Strange, senior deputy coroner for Greenville County, the deceased has been named as Johnny Andrew Collins Jr., a 51-year-old resident of Greer.

The fatal shooting occurred on Wednesday, May 29, around 12:11 p.m., during a joint law enforcement operation. Deputies from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office were assisting members of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending Collins, who was wanted on several outstanding warrants. The attempt to arrest Collins took place at a residence located at 3412 Collins Road in Greer.

Authorities say that when deputies approached Collins, he presented a firearm, prompting the deputies to open fire. Collins was struck and died at the scene. His death was officially pronounced at 12:22 p.m., only minutes after the confrontation began.

Law enforcement officials have since confirmed that Collins was a fugitive from justice at the time of the incident. According to jail records from Spartanburg County, Collins had been placed under home detention in connection with serious criminal charges, including attempted murder and kidnapping. However, he had reportedly escaped that detention in October 2024 and had been on the run since.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis announced that five deputies involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure following officer-involved shootings. This protocol ensures that each case can be reviewed thoroughly and objectively while also allowing time for internal and external investigations.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has taken over the investigation, as is customary in cases involving deadly force by police officers. According to SLED, this marks the fifth officer-involved shooting involving Greenville County deputies in 2024 alone, a figure that continues to raise concerns about the frequency of such incidents in the region.

The decision to deploy deputies to assist in the arrest of Collins was based on the severity of the charges against him and his status as a fugitive. Attempted murder and kidnapping are among the most serious offenses under South Carolina law, and his prior escape from custody posed a potential threat to public safety, authorities said. The involvement of both Greenville and Spartanburg County law enforcement units reflects the seriousness with which they approached Collins’ apprehension.

While further details surrounding the events leading up to the confrontation have not yet been released, law enforcement has indicated that body camera footage and additional witness testimony will be part of the investigative process. SLED will review all aspects of the incident to determine whether the use of deadly force was justified and whether law enforcement protocol was properly followed.

Community members in Greer and the surrounding counties have expressed mixed reactions to the news. Some view the incident as a necessary law enforcement action to apprehend a potentially dangerous individual, while others are calling for increased transparency and oversight into how such encounters are handled, especially when they result in a fatality.

Johnny Andrew Collins Jr. had a lengthy criminal history and was known to local authorities. The details surrounding his earlier charges, including the specific circumstances of the attempted murder and kidnapping allegations, have not been publicly disclosed in full. However, his evasion of home detention and subsequent armed response during the arrest attempt suggest a pattern of escalating risk.

The investigation into Collins’ death is ongoing, and authorities have not indicated how long it will take to complete. In the meantime, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has reiterated its commitment to cooperating fully with SLED investigators and following all required procedures to ensure a thorough and fair review of the shooting.

Sheriff Hobart Lewis, speaking to reporters, acknowledged the gravity of the incident and emphasized the importance of both public safety and accountability. “These situations are always tragic,” he said. “Our deputies are trained to respond to threats, but any loss of life is regrettable. We are fully cooperating with the investigation and will allow the facts to speak for themselves.”

As the process unfolds, attention will also be given to the deputies involved—whether their actions were consistent with department policy and whether they acted within the bounds of South Carolina law. Paid administrative leave allows time for emotional decompression and ensures that officers are not actively serving in the field during the critical early stages of the investigation.

For the community, the incident adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the use of force by law enforcement, especially in high-risk arrests. As more information becomes available, including possible video evidence and official findings from SLED, public response will likely intensify around issues of accountability, transparency, and reform.

In the meantime, family members of Johnny Andrew Collins Jr. have not released a public statement. Funeral arrangements and memorial services for Collins have not been announced.

The results of the investigation will be forwarded to prosecutors to determine whether any legal action is necessary. Until then, the focus remains on uncovering the complete details of what led to the fatal confrontation on May 29.