Derrick Gathers, a 40-year-old resident of Augusta, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to the federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea follows an incident that occurred on August 16, 2023, during a traffic stop in Bamberg County, South Carolina.
According to court statements, Trooper Frazier of the South Carolina Highway Patrol stopped Gathers for speeding on Highway 78. After providing his license and registration, Gathers was approached again by Trooper Frazier due to concerns about the driver’s license. At that point, Gathers drew a firearm and shot Trooper Frazier in the face before fleeing the scene. Both Trooper Frazier and a supporting Bamberg County Sheriff’s Department deputy returned fire as Gathers drove away.
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies—including the Bamberg Police Department, SCHP, and BCSD—located Gathers’ vehicle after he crashed in Branchville. He was then taken into custody.
A search conducted by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department uncovered a loaded pistol under the brake pedal of Gathers’ vehicle. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) later matched this weapon to cartridge casings found at the site of the shooting.
Gathers has prior felony convictions for third-degree rape and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in New York state. These convictions prohibit him from legally possessing firearms or ammunition.
The injured State Trooper, Lance Corporal Frazier, has made a full recovery from his injuries sustained during the incident.
Gathers could face up to 15 years in federal prison along with possible fines reaching $250,000, restitution payments, and supervised release following any prison term. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted his guilty plea; sentencing will take place after review of a report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by several agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office; Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office; and Bamberg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Fyall is leading prosecution efforts.
