Aiken County authorities are investigating whether the fatal shooting of a man early Wednesday on Aldrich Street may have been in self-defense, according to new information from the Aiken Department of Public Safety.
Lt. Jennifer Hayes said officers responded around 3:18 a.m. Wednesday to the 1200 block of Aldrich Street, where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite extensive lifesaving efforts, the man, identified by the Aiken County Coroner’s Office as 36-year-old Xavier Hall, died at the scene. Hall was not a resident of the home where the shooting occurred.
One person who lives at the address was detained for questioning immediately following the incident but has since been released, Lt. Hayes said. That individual is cooperating with investigators as they work to determine whether the shooting was justified.
All individuals present at the time of the shooting are cooperating with the investigation. The case is being handled jointly by the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, and the Second Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
Authorities have not announced any charges, and no additional details about what led up to the shooting have been released.
Court records show that Hall had prior arrests, including a July 2023 incident in which he was charged with third-degree assault and battery and malicious injury to property.
According to a police report from that case, Hall reportedly entered his mother’s home without permission and began arguing with family members over missing alcohol. During the altercation, Hall allegedly pushed his mother into a wall, causing a minor injury, and broke furniture inside the home before leaving the scene. He was later arrested and charged in connection with the disturbance.
In February, Hall was charged with a drug offense.
Investigators continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses to determine whether the homeowner’s actions on Aldrich Street were in self-defense. Officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
On Facebook, Hall was being remembered and mourned as “down to earth” and a local legend.
