Family mourns ex-Marine killed by police in Colleton County, questions answer

COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WCIV) – A former Marine was shot to death in an officer-involved incident in Colleton County on Tuesday, leaving family and friends grieving and questioning the circumstances of his death.

John Horan, who was partially deaf and suffered from PTSD from his military service, was receiving treatment before the incident, according to his sister.

“Our family is heartbroken,” she said, adding that they support the military and first responders but believe the situation was mishandled.

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Matthew Ellard, an attacker and friend who witnessed the shooting, said they were having dinner at a hotel when the incident occurred.

“We kept yelling, he’s a Marine, he’s a Marine, he has PTSD,” Ellard said. He described how he watched Horan take his last breaths, stating, “You can see his whole chest expanding and then he just stops.”

Witnesses reported that police did not attempt to disarm Horan, who was allegedly armed with a knife, before shooting him multiple times. They also claimed he was not given CPR until paramedics arrived. Horan died at the scene.

Horan’s sister, who was in Massachusetts at the time, described her brother as a great person and a dedicated lineman who always helped others after disasters. She said he was part of a local Navy group and was seeking support for his PTSD.

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The South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident. In a press release, they said police responded to a disturbance in a parking lot and found Horan armed with a knife. A deputy, who was not identified, shot Horan. No police officers were injured.

Ellard and other attackers were asked to share their accounts after seeing false information circulating on social media.

“I was absolutely shocked that people didn’t even know this guy,” Ellard said.

The shooting marks the 36th officer-involved shooting in Colleton County this year. Family members and witnesses hope that sharing their stories will bring justice to the situation.