Chief insists officer fatally shot teen in self-defense

SENECA, S.C. — A South Carolina police chief says he will not release the name of an officer who fatally shot a 19-year-old man in a Hardee's parking lot, insisting the officer acted in self-defense.

Multiple media outlets report Seneca Chief John Covington said Friday the department considers the officer a victim of attempted murder.

Zachary Hammond was shot twice in the torso Sunday night. A police report says he had driven a 23-year-old woman to the parking lot after an undercover officer arranged to buy marijuana from her.

Covington has said a uniformed officer was coming to help when Hammond drove his car toward the lawman.

But the attorney for Hammond's parents contends that's false. Attorney Eric Bland says Hammond was unarmed when he was shot from behind, and his car was not moving.

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