Authorities said a deputy also fired during the confrontation at an Interstate 85 rest stop, but the deputy’s shot did not strike the man.
ANDERSON COUNTY, SC — A 43-year-old veteran died by suicide Thursday after an encounter with Anderson County sheriff’s deputies at a rest stop along Interstate 85, where authorities had gone after receiving reports that he had made threats against other people, officials said.
Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride said deputies received a call shortly before noon Nov. 12 concerning a man who had reportedly threatened several people, including members of his family. Deputies found Anthony Richard Potter of Williamston at the southbound I-85 rest area near mile marker 23. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating because a deputy fired a weapon during the encounter.
McBride said Potter tried to drive away when deputies approached his vehicle. Deputies blocked the vehicle from leaving, and Potter then displayed a gun and fired a shot, according to the sheriff. A deputy also fired. Investigators later determined Potter suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that the deputy’s round did not strike him, McBride said. No deputies were injured.
Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore identified Potter and said he was a veteran. Shore said Potter’s family had been searching for him before the confrontation. Law enforcement officers and the Department of Veterans Affairs also had been trying to reach him because of concerns that he needed medical or mental health attention.
Shore said relatives had become concerned after seeing posts Potter made on Facebook that they viewed as signs he needed help. Authorities have not released further details about the reported threats or identified the people who were allegedly threatened. The circumstances that led to Potter’s behavior also remain under investigation.
Shore said Potter’s death brought the number of suicides reported in Anderson County this year to 34. The coroner said investigators would examine what Potter may have been experiencing before his death, including any relevant medical issues. Officials had not announced further findings as of Friday.
McBride said law enforcement officers regularly respond to calls involving people experiencing mental health crises or making threats. In this case, authorities had received information before deputies arrived that Potter was armed and was considered a concern to himself and others, according to officials.
SLED is handling the investigation into the deputy’s use of a firearm. The agency is routinely asked to independently investigate shootings involving law enforcement officers in South Carolina. Authorities have not announced any finding of wrongdoing by the deputy, and no additional details about the investigation have been released.
The investigation remained active Friday. Officials had not disclosed the name of the deputy who fired, and authorities had not announced when SLED’s review would be completed.
Author note: Last updated November 13, 2026.