‘Like cowboys from a John Wayne film’: Moment suicidal South Carolina man is shot NINE TIMES by cops

A suicidal South Carolina man who survived being shot nine times by police is suing officers for “excessive use of deadly force.”

Trevor Mullinax, 29, who has previously been arrested for crimes including burglary and domestic violence, claims he was sitting in his pickup truck talking to his mother when police descended on them “like cowboys from a John Wayne movie.”

The York County Sheriff’s Office disputes the claims, saying “Mr. Mullinax chose to endanger these men by pulling a shotgun.”

Mullinax, who lives in Rock Hill, South Carolina, claims in the lawsuit that the officers drew their guns and resorted to “immediate use of deadly force, without attempting to de-escalate the situation.”

A reload is seen before firing into the vehicle as Mullinax’s mother ducks for cover in long grass

Police bodycam footage of the incident, which took place in May 2021, shows Mullinax in the pickup truck on his family’s land, with his mother Tammy Beason outside the vehicle near the driver’s window.

Deputies are seen stepping out of the police cars and shouting, “Show me your hands.”

Moments later, they begin firing at the vehicle, shattering the windshield as 48-year-old Beason dives and runs for cover in nearby bushes.

After 50 shots were fired, Beason’s distressed screams can be heard from the pickup truck.

Mullinax admitted that he did have a shotgun in the truck, but denies pointing it at himself or the police.

Instead, he raised his hands and followed the orders of the deputies, his lawyers insist.

The gunfight continues from another officer’s bodycam, showing them surrounding the bullet-strewn pickup truck

Trevor Mullinax, 29, survived being shot nine times by deputies, with him pictured above in his hospital bed

“There was a bullet that hit him in the middle of the back of the head,” Mullinax’s attorney Justin Bamberg told a news conference Tuesday attended by Beason.

“Never seen someone shot in the back of the head that is a threat to the police or anyone else.”

Mullinax told reporters he was going through a mental health crisis and that police got involved after he broke down his girlfriend’s door just days before the shooting.

A call was made to the sheriff’s department requesting a “wellness check” from Mullinax, the complaint said.

A team of deputies went to the family property and were led by Mullinax’s grandfather to the crime scene where his grandson was parked and talking to his mother, the indictment said.

Mullinax is pictured at a press conference following the violent shooting at his childhood home

“There was a bullet that hit him in the middle of the back of his head,” Mullinax’s attorney Justin Bamberg told a news conference Tuesday attended by mom Tammy Beason (pictured)

“Before arriving at the location on the property where Prosecutor Mullinax was still in his pickup, the deputies drew their firearms and prepared to shoot and use deadly force against Prosecutor Mullinax before making verbal contact with him.” the court papers said. .

“Trevor was just in a really dark place,” his lawyer told reporters, “and had contemplated suicide.”

“May is mental health awareness month,” added Mullinax. “I hate having to be the face this month. But if it helps even one single person in this world not to have to go through what me and my family have, then that’s fine with me.”

York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said in a statement, “Mr. Mullinax chose to endanger these men by pulling a shotgun.

“These deputies responded appropriately to the threat, as they were trained.”

“If Mr. Mullinax had made different choices that day, deputies wouldn’t have had to use force.”