By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

The man shot and killed by a Spartanburg County officer Friday night, July 1 has been identified as 63-year old Alexis George Mishtowt, according to the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office.

Mishtowt was killed Friday at a home on Bird Mountain Road near Landrum during an undercover operation.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said during a news conference late Friday that he feels the shooting was justified. Wright said after his deputies were threatened by a heavily-armed suspect, a deputy opened fire.

Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said Mishtowt died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.

Wright said on the facts of what he saw on scene, the officers didn’t do anything wrong as they were being threatened. Wright said the officer involved in the shooting saved four or five officers’ lives.

An undercover operation began earlier Friday and uniformed officers were called to the scene after something didn’t go right, according to sheriff Wright. Wright said five to six law enforcement officers were at the scene.

One person who was also at the home was detained after the shooting for questioning.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating. Wright said an internal investigation is also being conducted.