New details have emerged about the ambush shooting of a Greenville Police Department officer that took place on January 11. According to authorities, 42‑year‑old David William Lane approached an officer sitting in his patrol vehicle outside the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center and fired incendiary ammunition known as “Dragon’s Breath”, which caused extensive damage to the patrol car and severely injured Officer Giordano Alberto. Officials say Lane then fled the scene in a vehicle.
Chase, Shootout, and Suspect’s Death
After ambushing Officer Alberto, Lane was pursued by deputies from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Dashcam footage released by law enforcement shows a lengthy vehicle chase in which Lane fired at deputies multiple times. Deputies eventually forced Lane’s vehicle to stop in a parking lot, after which they opened fire. Investigators later determined that Lane died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound around the time of the forcible stop. The sheriff’s office stated that the deputies’ use of deadly force was justified under office protocols.
Officer Alberto’s Recovery and Recognition
Officer Giordano Alberto, who was seriously injured in the ambush, was treated at a hospital and has since been recovering. In a notable moment, he was invited as a special guest to the State of the Union address, an honor announced by Senator Tim Scott earlier this week. Alberto attended the address, where his resilience and recovery were highlighted publicly.
