Coroner identifies man shot by Easley police officer – what you should know

Investigators have identified the man accused of shoplifting and threatening a store manager before he was shot and killed by an Easley police officer.

As part of the investigation, the Pickens County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy. The Coroner’s Office confirmed that the deceased was Nicholas Elias Fernandez, 26, of Greer.

Fernandez was hit several times and emergency services were called to the scene, where he was pronounced dead.

South Carolina law enforcement is investigating the shooting and said Tuesday that the man was carrying an axe.

According to Easley Police Lt. Ashley Anderson, officers responded to 339 Rolling Hills Circle around 10:50 a.m. Monday after receiving a call that a person caught stealing had threatened to physically harm the manager of a Tractor Supply store.