Family of man killed in Florence officer-involved shooting searching for answers

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The loved ones of a man killed in a Florence officer-involved shooting say they have no idea what led up to the deadly confrontation, but that they’re also hurting.

Authorities said they were serving a warrant for Matthew Paul Barry, 41, when he opened fire on Monday night from his Brittany Drive apartment. He was wanted in connection with a homicide that happened a day earlier.

“We don’t really know any connections police have made but if there was any involvement, we do want to apologize to the victims,” Sophia Moffit, daughter of Barry’s fiancée, told News13.

Moffit said her mother was at the apartment with Barry when police arrived. He’d recently been released from prison, and that may have been what prompted his actions. Authorities said Barry barricaded both of them inside.

She was able to escape after authorities used tear gas. Barry emerged behind her and began firing at police, Moffit said.

“My mom just wanted everyone to know that he was a good man and that he loved his family with everything he had,” she said.

Officials wanted Barry in connection with the death of 34-year-old Idris Chance Ali Cooper, who was found dead in the parking lot of Colonial Gardens near a running car.

Neighbors told News13 on Tuesday that their community is normally quiet, and the violence caught them off guard.

“We’ve seen police come over in this apartment complex before, but we knew anything was happening like this,” one person said.

Police haven’t said whether Barry shot himself or was shot by authorities. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is heading an investigation.

Count on News13 on updates.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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Tomika Jackson joined News13 in April 2024 as a multimedia journalist. She started her journalism career in 2000 with previous stops at WALB TV10, CBS47 & WTOC11 in Savannah, Georgia. Tomika is a Georgia native and Valdosta State University graduate. Follow Tomika on X, formerly Twitter , and Instagram . You can read more of her work here .

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