Deputy mistook man’s cane for gun

YORK, S.C. – A South Carolina deputy who shot a 70-year-old man after mistaking his cane for a shotgun during an after-dark traffic stop broke down in tears as other officers arrived, according to dashcam video released Wednesday.

York County Deputy Terrance Knox is on administrative leave as state agents investigate the shooting last month of Bobby Canipe. In the video, Canipe quickly pulls over on the four-lane highway after Knox puts on his blue lights and siren. Canipe’s tag had expired about six weeks earlier.

Canipe gets out of the pickup and turns toward the bed without acknowledging Knox as the deputy yells “Sir!” three times. Canipe reaches in the back and pulls out a slender object with the tip pointed at the officer. Knox yells “Whoa!” several times as he fires a half-dozen shots.

“It’s a walking stick,” Canipe said as the shots ended.

Knox shouted an expletive as he immediately ran to check on Canipe, who was hit once and is expected to recover.