Conestee Man Facing Attempted Murder Charges

A Conestee man faces two charges of attempted murder and two charges of pointing and presenting a firearm following a disturbance last month, according to the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

Michael Duane Henderson, 33, of Conestee was scheduled to appear at a bond hearing Tuesday afternoon on the charges. He had been recuperating from gunshots he received in the Oct. 7 incident. A pair of deputies shot Henderson after Henderson allegedly grabbed a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and pointed it at the deputies and refused to stand down when ordered.

An arrest warrant alleged that Henderson pulled the gun with the intent of killing the deputies before he was shot first. The deputies have since been cleared of the shooting and returned to active duty by Greenville County Sheriff Steve Loftis.

The incident happened last month after the GCSO received a disturbance and loud music call in the area of 6th St., in Conestee. Within ten minutes deputies Brian Lovelace and Michael Downey were in the area and located a large crowd gathered near a bonfire at 712 6th Street, according to a summary of the incident.

While both deputies were speaking with several individuals about the complaint, Henderson allegedly retrieved a handgun from a vehicle, the report said. Lovelace and Downey ordered Henderson to drop the gun multiple times. Henderson did not comply with commands and turned toward the deputies while still in possession of the gun "placing the deputies’ lives in danger," the report said.

Lovelace and Downey fired their service weapons five times striking Henderson in the abdomen and shoulder. Henderson was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital to be treated for his injuries.