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LANDRUM–A Landrum woman was found dead outside her home and a suspect was shot and killed by police after refusing to comply with officers during the early morning hours of Memorial Day, police say. 

On Monday, May 29, Landrum Police Department responded to the Bon Aire Apartments at 700 South Randolph Ave. around 4 a.m., in what started as a domestic violence call. Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office deputies were later called in to assist. 

When officers arrived, a woman was found fatally stabbed on the porch of her apartment. The victim, who was confined to a wheelchair according to reports, was later identified by the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office as Shana McClain, 58 of Landrum. The coroner said initial exams show the victim suffered from “multiple sharp-edged injuries.” 

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said that deputies encountered the suspect at the scene, who was holding a large butcher knife in his hand. Deputies attempted to speak to the man, but he failed to comply with their commands. Wright said the man came towards officers, and officers used a Taser on the suspect and deployed a K9 unit to bring him into custody, but the suspect was not subdued. 

“I do know after he was Tased he still fought through that,” Wright said.

The suspect, identified as Freddie Edwards, 58, came at deputies a second time and was shot by police, Wright said. Edwards was pronounced dead at 4:39 a.m.

Sheriff Wright said two Spartanburg County deputies and a Landrum police officer were involved. No law enforcement were injured during the incident.

“It wasn’t just a come straight out of a holster and start shooting. They tried very hard to save this man’s life and he just wouldn’t have none of it,” said Wright.

Police say they were familiar with McClain and Edwards, as they have responded to domestic violence calls involving the two. 

McClain and Edwards were in a messy on-and-off relationship and were living together at the apartment, according to Edwards’ family.

Since police fired shots, SLED is investigating the shooting. As standard procedure, the officers involved have been placed on paid leave during the investigation.

This is a developing story. The Tryon Daily Bulletin will provide additional details as they become available.