Attorney General Alan Wilson announces Joshua Hendricks pleads guilty to attempted murder

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announces that Joshua Hendricks pleaded guilty in Lancaster County Thursday to attempted murder, assault and battery 1^st degree, and domestic violence 2^nd degree. Judge Brian Gibbons sentenced him to 18 years for the attempted murder, 10 years for the assault and battery 1^st degree, and three years for the domestic violence 2^nd degree. The sentences will run concurrently for a total sentence of 18 years.

On January 20, 2020, Lancaster County Deputy Sheriffs responded to the home of Hendricks’ girlfriend, who was the mother of his two-year-old son. Hendricks had punched her several times in the face in the presence of the child, briefly left the apartment, and then fired four shots at the locked door of the home so he could re-enter. When the deputies responded, they were able to speak to Hendricks, who was suicidal, through the door of the home and on the phone in an attempt to get him to submit himself peacefully to law enforcement. After hearing a gunshot and believing he had shot himself, the deputies entered the home into the living room. Hendricks was crouched behind the kitchen counter, using it as a blockade. He fired a shot from the side of the counter at the first officer. Officers returned fire and Hendricks fired over the counter. Hendricks was shot in the shoulder and the officers subsequently detained him. The officers were not injured.

Assistant Attorney General Jerrod Fussnecker prosecuted the case and the State Law Enforcement Division investigated.