COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A man who ambushed four police officers in South Carolina, killing one of them, has pleaded guilty to murder as part of a deal which spares his life.
- McCall admitted to the Jan. 16 shooting.
- Before the shooting, he was in the banking industry.
- The plea deal spares McCall's life and keeps him in prison.
Christian McCall quietly admitted to the Jan. 16 shooting in York County on Tuesday. He was waiting to see if the judge would accept the negotiated sentence of life without parole.
“This incident was a tragedy, and no one is to blame but me,” said McCall.
Solicitor Kevin Brackett says McCall first hid and shot an officer tracking him with a dog after his wife called 911 and said he beat her, then ran away.
Brackett says a few hours later, McCall hid under a deck and shot three officers trying to find him. York County Sheriff's detective Mike Doty was killed.
“Attacking and shooting a police officer is really an attack on law and order. I understand this family’s desire for closure,” said Kevin Brackett, York County solicitor.
Before the shooting, McCall was a 47-year-old with a successful career in the banking industry.
After court, we heard from Sgt. Buddy Brown, one of the injured officers. He says it was an emotional day.
“If he can do some good in prison, then that’d be admirable for him. We will never have to fool with him again,” said Brown.
Detective Doty’s father, Bob Doty says his family has forgiveness in their hearts toward McCall, saying that was the only way they could move on and heal.