Two arrested in shooting of SLED K9

PROSPERITY — A Prosperity mother and son have been arrested in connection to a shooting that led to the death of SLED K9 Coba.

Deputies with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and SLED were attempting to serve a felony warrant on Gravel Road near Lake Murray in Prosperity for 37-year-old James Robert Peterson, of Harmon’s Quarters Road stemming from a burglary on Blacks Gate East Road on May 24.

Several attempts were made to locate Peterson who was said to be hiding at his mother’s home on Gravel Road. Peterson’s mother, 61-year-old Scarlett Boyd, told deputies Peterson was not at the home and she had not seen him in a while, but a Newberry County deputy spotted Peterson moving through the home from a window. K9 Coba, his handler and a deputy sheriff went into the home and confronted Peterson in a hallway. Peterson pulled out a gun, shooting K9 Coba – officers then returned fire.

K9 Coba was taken to an emergency veterinarian where he died from his injuries. Peterson was taken to an area trauma center for treatment.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, per protocols of SLED and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, was called in to assist in the investigation.

Peterson is currently being charged with burglary. Boyd is being charged with hindering a law enforcement officer serving process and was booked at the Newberry County Detention Center under a $20,000 cash/surety bond.