On Monday, May 19, 2025, a tense standoff unfolded in Clover, South Carolina, when 70-year-old Cathy Carpenter allegedly opened fire on her family members, prompting a SWAT response from the York County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began around 11:30 a.m. at Carpenter’s home on Windsong Forest Road. According to authorities, the confrontation stemmed from a family dispute over living arrangements. Earlier that day, a court ruling allowed her 18-year-old grandson, Ashton Carpenter, to remain in the home despite her attempts to evict him. When Ashton returned with other family members, Cathy Carpenter reportedly fired approximately five shots through a closed door. Fortunately, no one was injured in the gunfire .
Following the shooting, Cathy Carpenter barricaded herself inside the residence and refused to communicate with deputies or negotiators. The standoff lasted about three and a half hours. Eventually, the SWAT team forcibly entered the home and took her into custody without further incident .
Family members indicated that this was not the first instance of violent behavior from Carpenter. They recalled a recent incident where she allegedly attempted to strike them with a frying pan. Concerns about her mental health had been previously reported to the Department of Social Services, but no intervention occurred .
The York County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the case remains under investigation. As of now, Cathy Carpenter is in custody, and no injuries were reported during the incident.
