A North Carolina man is dead after being shot Wednesday, March 20, by off-duty Summerville police officer Anthony DeLustro near Chick-fil-A on North Main Street in Summerville.
The Summerville Police Department and officers from other area agencies, including agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, responded to the scene around 1 p.m. to investigate the shooting.
Berkeley County Coroner Darnell Hartwell identified the victim as Michael P. O’Neal, 39, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Hartwell said O’Neal died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound.
DeLustro, a patrolman first class, was taken to Trident Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being dragged by O’Neal’s car during the altercation.
“On behalf of the Summerville Police Department, we offer our thoughts and prayers to the O’Neal family for the tragic loss of their loved one, Michael,” said Summerville Police Chief Doug Wright, adding he spoke with O’Neal’s parents Thursday, March 21, and offered his condolences. “Our police officer was treated and released after suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Our deepest prayers are with him and his family during this difficult time. This event was a struggle for all who were involved.”
An eyewitness posted a cellphone video online showing a part of the altercation.
Wright said after the shooting, he immediately requested outside assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to lead the investigation of this incident, as they are an impartial and independent agency.
“I want to remind everyone that this procedure takes time,” Wright said. “Please be patient and trust the process.”
DeLustro began his law enforcement career at the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1980. His assignments included Det. Sergeant in NYPD’s Organized Crime Control Bureau’s Narcotics Division. He retired from the NYPD in 2002 after 22 Years of service. This is DeLustro’s second stint with the Summerville Police Department, as he rejoined its ranks in January 2023.
It is not known if DeLustro will face any charges.
O’Neal’s family released the following statement this past Friday:
“We appreciate the love and support of the communities and friends. This is a senseless, difficult time and not deserved by anyone. Michael was hilarious, loving, and the light of the room in any situation. We appreciate privacy at this time while we have a chance to grieve our loss.”
O’Neal’s family has created a GoFundMe as they plan funeral arrangements.
”As of this writing, there are many unanswered questions, and Michael’s family is respectfully waiting for SLED to perform a thorough investigation, which takes time,” O’Neal’s family members wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Michael’s father was an officer with Winston-Salem police for over 30 years. This is a family that has a great deal of respect for law enforcement in general, and yet is also fully aware that no profession is free of bad actors. We remain optimistic that the SLED detectives will find the truth and bring about justice.”
