A South Carolina police officer was involved in a fatal shooting outside the Relapse Bar & Grill on Sunday, May 10, in Richland County. The incident occurred after the suspect allegedly drove erratically and threatened the lives of people in the club’s parking lot.
Incident Details
At approximately 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a disturbance outside Relapse Bar & Grill, located on Two Notch Road in an unincorporated part of Richland County, near Forest Acres. According to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, Forest Acres Police Officer Cpl. Daniel Haddad encountered a man driving erratically, nearly striking his patrol vehicle.
Haddad attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect continued driving erratically into the club’s parking lot, where he reportedly endangered the lives of security guards and other individuals present. The officer then fired his weapon, hitting the suspect multiple times. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Victim Identification and Investigation
The identity of the deceased has not been officially released, and the Richland County Coroner’s Office is handling the identification. Authorities confirmed that no other injuries occurred during the incident.
The Forest Acres Police Department, which is cooperating with the investigation, stated that Cpl. Haddad has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The incident is being thoroughly reviewed by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, with the results expected to be handed over to the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office for further evaluation.
Background on the Club and Sheriff’s Comments
Sheriff Lott expressed frustration over the ongoing issues with Relapse Bar & Grill, which he described as a nuisance. He pointed out that deputies had responded to the club 64 times since November 2025, dealing with incidents such as assaults, robberies, and vehicle break-ins. Despite the sheriff’s office efforts to prevent the club from staying open, the venue was granted a temporary alcohol license in November 2025, which expired in March 2026.
Lott criticized the club’s management for continuing operations despite the tragedy, accusing them of prioritizing profits over public safety. “They just continued full force like nothing had ever happened… All they were interested in was making blood money,” Lott said.
A representative of the club, identified as Rapp Dolla, posted on social media offering condolences to the victim’s family but stated that the club wasn’t involved in the incident. Lott disagreed with this statement and vowed to push for the closure of the club. He emphasized that closing the club was now a priority for him, especially given its troubled history.
Next Steps in the Investigation
As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office is focusing on both the officer-involved shooting and the status of the club. Sheriff Lott mentioned that the expired alcohol license would be one avenue to address the club’s future operations.
