Easley Man Faces Charges After Shootout with Deputies

An Easley man is facing attempted murder charges after a shootout with Pickens County Sheriff's Deputies at his home Tuesday night.

Jason Lee Chance, 39, of 209 Vista Circle in Easley was taken into police custody after he fired a rifle at deputies, according to a statement from the Pickens County Sheriff's office.

Deputies responded to reports of a firearm being discharged inside a home on Murdock Lane in Easley on Tuesday. Assistant Pickens County Sheriff Tim Morgan said the incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m.

A warrant states that Chance entered the home carrying an SKS assault rifle and fired a single round into the floor. Chance reportedly said "You are all dead" before pointing the rifle at the victim and saying "You are going to die tonight," the warrant said. 

When deputies arrived at the home Chance had already fled the scene. One of the deputies found his vehicle near his home on Vista Circle after patrolling the neighborhood, the statement said.

A second deputy arrived at the home to assist and when they got out of their patrol cars Chance began firing his rifle, shattering the windows in their cars. The deputies took cover behind the patrol cars and one deputy fired a shot back at Chance, the statement said.

When other units arrived the deputies established a perimeter around the home. A deputy in the rear of the property heard Chance talking on the phone before he heard several more shots fired, the statement said.

Soon after he fired the last shot, deputies said Chance told them he wanted to surrender. When he exited the house he through the rifle on the ground and deputies took him into custody without further incident, the statement said.

"We're so fortunate last night that we didn't lose two deputies," Sheriff C. David Stone said.

Morgan said no one was injured during the shootout.

Chance is facing two counts of attempted murder, two counts of discharging a firearm inside a dwelling, six counts of possession of a firearm during a violent act, malicious damage to property, and first degree assault and battery.

Morgan said it was unclear if Chance had an attorney but he was scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on Wednesday.