One police officer DEAD as seven BRUTALLY shot down in South Carolina gun shooting

The shooter is in police custody after the attack.

Florence County Coroner, Keith von Lutcken, has confirmed one of the officers is dead.

Information about the condition of the other officers is not yet available.

A local reporter at the scene said the shooter was in hospital but there was no word on his condition.

The reporter, Tonya Brown, said: “Suspect is in custody. He’s at hospital. No word on his condition.”

Law enforcement responded rapidly to the attack to ensure the area was safe for the public.

In the immediate aftermath, at least 100 police officers flocked to the area around the shooting, ABC News affiliate WPDE reported.

According to Florence County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Glenn Kirby, three of the officers were Florence County deputies.

The other two law enforcement officers were city officers, a local news outlet reported.

NYPD Counter Terrorism tweeted about the attack, saying they were “closely monitoring” the situation.

They said: “We are closely monitoring the reports of five police officers shot in Florence, SC in what is being described as an active shooter situation.”

Florence County Emergency Management said in a Twitter post the suspect had been taken into custody in the Vintage Place neighbourhood.

The statement read: “The active shooting situation is over and the suspect is in custody.

“We are asking everyone to stay away from Vintage Place as there is still an active crime investigation in progress.”

West Florence High School posted on Facebook it had gone into lockdown when it learned of the active shooter situation.

Scores of student-athletes were rushed inside to take cover.

A video from Hoffmeyer Road in Florence shows police cars rushing to the active shooter scene.

Reacting to the Florence shooting, Governor Henry McMaster called the deadly incident “devastating”.

He said: “The selfless acts of bravery from the men and women in law enforcement is real, just like the power of prayer is real.

“Peggy and I ask that you pray for them, pray for their recovery, pray for their families, and pray for all of Florence.”

People are using the hashtag #PrayForFlorence to express their condolences on Twitter.

Twitter user Cathy Charles wrote: “Heartbreaking news in Florence, SC, Five officers shot and one has been confirmed dead. #prayforflorence.”

US President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences and thanks to the police force following the attack.

He said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the Florence Police Department tonight, in South Carolina.

“We are forever grateful for what our Law Enforcement Officers do 24/7/365.”

Law enforcement officers have given a statement to the media outside the hospital where the police officers are being treated for their injuries.

Fighting back tears, the County sheriff said: “Today will mark a horrific day in the annals of the Florence Police Department.

“Today we lost a good friend of mine.”

He added: “This is our community and we know this hospital and this is affecting the staff of this hospital as it is affecting us.”

The Sheriff stopped speaking to reporters as he appeared to start crying before an official stepped forward and said: “You are safe because of those officers and deputies who are willing and have been willing to put themselves in harm’s way.”

He confirmed there were three other officers who were currently receiving attention in hospital.