SLED charges Clarks Hill man in North Augusta officer involved shooting

Alexandra Koch, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Dec. 10—The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has arrested a 42-year-old man Thursday after an officer-involved shooting that left one officer wounded.

Thomas M. Airington, of Clarks Hill, is charged with attempted murder, possession of marijuana and is currently under a temporary hold.

He was out on bond for multiple charges in August, according to Aiken County court records.

Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, which oversees the detention center, confirmed Friday that Airington was the suspect in the shooting.

SLED has not given any information to the media.

Criminal history

In 1997, Airington was convicted of forgery in Aiken County, and two separate counts of simple assault in North Augusta in July and December 1997.

In 1998, he was convicted of simple assault, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence, unlawful carrying of a weapon, public disorderly conduct and destruction of city property in North Augusta.

In 2000, he was convicted of breaking into a motor vehicle in North Augusta.

In 2003, he was convicted of public disorderly conduct in Spartanburg County.

In 2004, he was convicted of shoplifting and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and in 2007 he was convicted of resisting arrest. All occurred in North Augusta.

Lynching in 2004

Airington was charged with second-degree lynching on July 20, 2004, in North Augusta, but was not convicted.

Most recent charges

Airington was arrested by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office on Aug. 28, 2021 and charged with possession of a stolen gun, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, trafficking meth/cocaine, possession of narcotics and possession of marijuana.

Judge Tracey L. Carroll awarded him a $50,615 surety bond for all the charges.

The bond breakdown is a $5,000 bond for unlawful possession or possession of a stolen firearm, a $30,000 bond for trafficking, a $5,000 bond for possession of a weapon during a violent crime, a $10,000 bond for possession of narcotics and a $615 bond for possession of marijuana, Carroll said during a phone interview with the Aiken Standard on Friday morning.

The bond was posted by Georgia-Carolina Bail Bonds, Carroll said.

Breaking news. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.