Anderson, S.C.; April 17, 2025 – A Pelzer man was convicted late Wednesday afternoon of the attempted murder of an Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputy in 2018, Solicitor Micah E. Black announced this morning.
George Ernest Morgan, 67, was tried this week in the Anderson County General Sessions Court for charges stemming from a December 6, 2018, incident where he shot at an Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputy who was conducting a welfare check on Morgan at the request of his wife.
Deputy Ben Morris was dispatched to Morgan’s home on Lebby Street in Pelzer after his wife called law enforcement following a domestic incident earlier in the day. When Deputy Morris arrived, Morgan exited the house brandishing a semi-automatic pistol. Morgan refused Deputy Morris’s commands to drop the firearm, pointed the pistol at Deputy Morris, and fired at him. Deputy Morris returned fire, and took cover behind a tree while Morgan continued firing until the pistol was out of ammunition. Deputy Morris struck Morgan twice during the exchange, but Deputy Morris was not injured. Morgan retreated into the house where he twice reloaded his pistol while continuing to shoot at police vehicles on scene. Eventually, Morgan ran out of ammunition and exited the house and was taken into custody by Deputy Morris and Detective Ivey Parker. Morgan later told emergency medical personnel that he was angry at the world and figured he “might as well go out with a bang.”
An Anderson County jury took just over an hour to find Morgan guilty of Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. The Honorable R. Scott Sprouse then sentenced Morgan to fifteen (15) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. This sentence is considered violent, most serious, and is not parole-eligible.
Solicitor Black and Deputy Solicitor Josh Thomas prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office Investigator Michael Cox and Victim Advocate Brenda Smith. Morgan was represented by Ivan Toney of the Greenville County Bar.
Solicitor Black praised the work of Anderson County Sheriff’s Office deputies and State Law Enforcement Division investigators in helping to secure the conviction in this case. He also commended Deputy Morris, whose courage under fire likely saved his own life as well as the lives of innocent bystanders.
“The men and women who put on the badge every day when they come to work just want to serve their community and return home safely to their families at the end of their shift,” said Solicitor Black. “I hope this conviction sends a message to the community that people like George Morgan who put the lives of our brave law enforcement in jeopardy through their malicious actions can expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”