Arthur Page II

Date: 5/21/2022          Location: Aiken County, SC              FACTORS (1,2,8,19)

Name: Arthur C. Page II                                

Criminal History/Involved: Yes, Page was arrested in 2017 for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. / Yes, Page refused to pull over and comply with a lawful traffic stop.         

Mental Illness: Unknown.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/58

Officer(s) involved: Aiken County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Owens                            

What prompted the initial contact with police? At around 12:43 a.m. on May 21, 2022, an Aiken County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to pull over a Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Arthur Page.

Actions taken by subject towards police: Page refused to pull over and instead sped away, leading Deputy Christopher Owens “on a 40-mile chase.” The chase ended when Page slowed down the motorcycle and drove onto a grassy shoulder where he lost control and went down to the ground with the bike. Still not complying with Deputy Owens’ orders to stop, Page attempted to run away on foot but he fell again. As Page fell he “turned over appearing to be armed with a weapon” and pointing something at Deputy Owens.

Reactions by the police: Believing the object in Page’s hand was a gun, Deputy Owens opened fire at Page, fatally wounding him with at least one shot. A search of the area confirmed the object in Page’s hand was not a firearm.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Page could still be alive if he: complied with the deputy and pulled over his motorcycle; surrendered and did not run after crashing his motorcycle; was not holding something in his hand that in the dark of night could be mistaken for a weapon.

Miscellaneous: Page’s actions in not complying with a simple traffic stop may be explained by him having a suspended license or possibly being under the influence – something the toxicology results could clear up.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, after being involved in a lengthy vehicle chase which had just transitioned to a foot pursuit in the middle of night, Deputy Owens reasonably feared for his life when he saw something looking like a weapon in Page’s hand being pointed at him.