The activation of a Blue Alert is designed to notify the public regarding a serious situation where a police officer has been killed, injured substantially, or missing in the line of duty, and the perpetrator has not been located. The issuance of a Blue Alert speaks to how serious the incident is and how quickly the police officers are working to locate and apprehend the person of interest.
Residents of the Midlands and surrounding area are encouraged to remain observant and immediately report any relevant sightings to emergency response services.
As a result of this incident, law enforcement's concern has been elevated substantially in the communities involved, and law enforcement is working quickly to keep the public safe while searching for the suspect in an active search operation that crosses multiple counties.
On Monday night at approximately 10:35 PM, the event that prompted the issuance of a Blue Alert took place at Gardenia Road in Blackville, South Carolina.
Officers have been appointed as a result of what transpired once the public safety alert was subsequently issued. Authorities have not yet fully determined what types of injuries the officer sustained; however, there has been an immediate and coordinated effort on behalf of all law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions as they continue to respond to this officer's injury.
Blackville is a small community situated in Barnwell County, and this incident has caught the attention of several regional law enforcement agencies, which have started to take part in the ongoing search for this suspect. The officer's injuries are being taken with the utmost seriousness, and investigators are doing everything possible to exhaust all leads in an effort to apprehend this suspect.
The suspect fled the scene following the assault, and investigators began using their resources to backtrack her last movements almost immediately. The last known direction of travel has been established, as well as her vehicle used during this incident, thus giving all of these law enforcement agencies a solid starting point for the ongoing investigation.
Lacey Cushman is the suspect associated with the injury of the officer, and she is a 37-year-old white female. According to SLED, she is approximately 5'9" tall and weighs approximately 210 lbs. She has brown eyes. Authorities are unable to provide information on her hairstyle, hair colour, and clothing for the time being, thus making it somewhat difficult for members of the community to visually identify her.
The last known vehicle operated by Cushman has been identified as a white Chevrolet Traverse 2011 with a South Carolina license plate of 706IRU. Authorities last saw her in Barnwell County, traveling in the direction of Bamberg County. Law enforcement agencies in both Barnwell and Bamberg Counties and adjacent jurisdictions have been notified and are working to monitor roadways and key locations for the purpose of intercepting her.
Authorities have stated that no member of the community should attempt to approach or pursue Cushman, as she is considered armed and dangerous, and approaching her independently may place individuals at risk of serious injury. The well-being of the public is the main concern of law enforcement while the search for this suspect continues.
Anyone who may see Lacey Cushman, the vehicle described above, or who may have information regarding her current location, should immediately contact law enforcement by calling 911 (emergency services). Every piece of information, regardless of how irrelevant it may seem to an individual, may assist law enforcement in locating her and bring this incident to a safe conclusion. Do not follow her or try to pursue her. Simply contact law enforcement with as much information as possible, including the exact location, direction of travel, and any other outside descriptions possible.
Law enforcement will continue to monitor this situation and will pursue the apprehension of this suspect while simultaneously keeping the public informed of any developments. The safety of the public and the safety of fellow officers have and will continue to be the primary focus of this operation.
