Manhunt Underway in Sand Rock Following Attempted Robbery and Shooting
*** Edit According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, the Suspect has been taken into Custody ***
According to Cherokee County Chief Deputy Josh Summerford, the suspect, Justin Tapp of Sandrock has been taken into custody. Tapp was not struck by the gunfire. He will be charged with Robbery 1st and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center. We will update if more information becomes available.
Sand Rock – Law enforcement is actively searching for a suspect following an attempted robbery and shooting incident that took place Friday morning in the Sand Rock community of Cherokee County.
Authorities were dispatched to the 100 block of County Road 49 after reports of a possible shooting. The incident reportedly began when a resident discovered a man attempting to steal a saw from his property. According to the property owner, he was working to haul a large log from a downhill area when he noticed the suspect. Upon confronting the man, the suspect allegedly drew two knives and began acting aggressively.
The victim retreated to his vehicle and retrieved a firearm. During the confrontation, the suspect managed to steal a side-by-side ATV. The victim said he fired “a couple of shots” at the suspect, who then attempted to flee the property on the stolen vehicle.
The suspect crashed the ATV while trying to escape down the mountain. The victim reported that the suspect appeared to be injured but was able to run into a wooded area near County Road 48 above Highway 273/Blue Pond Road.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has issued a public alert, asking residents to avoid the area if possible and to report any suspicious individuals. Residents are urged not to approach or offer transportation to anyone unfamiliar in the vicinity.
As of Friday morning, the manhunt is ongoing, with authorities actively searching the wooded area behind the property. For operational safety, photos from the scene are being withheld to protect the positioning of law enforcement until the subject is in custody.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
