Lexington County deputies searched Oct. 4 for a man in Gilbert who ran from the scene after shooting his wife. The man eventually killed himself, the department announced later in the day.

The midmorning manhunt caused three Lexington County District 1 schools to briefly go secure, with no one allowed to enter or exit the schools.

“A woman was shot by her husband during the incident at their home on Haskell Road, according to investigators,” a release from the department states. “The man left the home and deputies started a search with the help of K-9 police dogs and a drone. Deputies found the man’s body a short time later after he apparently died by suicide.”

The couple's identities have not been released.

The sheriff's department shared messages it sent out to neighbors during the manhunt. The first message about the search was sent at 9:51 a.m., according to the sheriff’s department. The second, stating that it had ended and there was no ongoing threat to the public, was sent at 10:05 a.m. 

Community members were encouraged to stay inside during the search.

“This is an unfortunate situation and the family has some tough days ahead,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon is quoted. “The woman was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound and we don’t have any word on her condition at this time.”

The release states that the investigation is ongoing.

“We’re still talking with family members and neighbors in an effort to help us gather as much information as possible,” Koon is quoted. “We’d encourage anyone with details they feel could benefit our work on the case to reach out and share what they know.” 

Kathryn McPhail, Lexington 1’s chief communications officer, confirmed that Rocky Creek Elementary, Centerville Elementary and Beechwood Middle went secure for about five minutes in response to the manhunt.

“I wanted to make you aware that Rocky Creek Elementary was briefly placed on secure, formerly known as lockout, today around 9:40 A.M. at the request of law enforcement,” the school’s principal, Michelle Smith, writes in a note to families that was shared with the Chronicle, noting that the situation was unrelated to the school. “The secure lasted about 5 minutes. I am proud of how our students and staff handled this situation.  

“As a reminder, during secure students continue learning inside their locked classroom, and no one comes and goes from the building. Your student may not have even noticed a change in their day.”

This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.