Spartanburg County 911 responds after TikTok video reveals telecommunicator refusing service
643. IT’S TIME FOR NEWS TO GO. WE HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES. TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR THIS MORNING. WE START WITH BREAKING NEWS AND AN AMBER ALERT IN FLORENCE THAT’S HAPPENING THIS MORNING. FLORENCE POLICE AND SLED ARE LOOKING FOR ONE YEAR OLD DYLAN COOPER. SHE HAS BLUE EYES AND A DIMPLE ON HER LEFT CHEEK AND SLED. SAYS SHE WAS TAKEN BY 32 YEAR OLD MACY EADDY LAST NIGHT FROM A ROSES ON SOUTH IRBY STREET. IT IS BELIEVED TO BE DRIVING A 2012 WHITE MITSUBISHI LANCER WITH A TEMPORARY TAG AND A PALMETTO DECAL ON THE REAR WINDOW. STICK WITH WYFF NEWS FOUR AS WE LEARN MORE. RIGHT NOW YOU’RE GETTING A LIVE LOOK AT BOURBON STREET IN NEW ORLEANS. THAT’S COURTESY OF EARTH CAM. THIS MORNING, THE FBI SAYS THE SUSPECT IN THE DEADLY TRUCK ATTACK ACTED ALONE, AND THEY’RE GOING THROUGH HUNDREDS OF CALLS FROM POTENTIAL WITNESSES AND WATCHING HOURS OF SURVEILLANCE VIDEO. THE FBI SAYS IT’S CRUCIAL THEY HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO WAS IN THE FRENCH QUARTER ON NEW YEAR’S EVE. INVESTIGATORS ALSO SAY THERE’S NO DEFINITIVE LINK BETWEEN THE ATTACK IN NEW ORLEANS AND THE EXPLOSION OF A TESLA TRUCK OUTSIDE OF A TRUMP HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS. MEANWHILE, A TRUCK DRIVER IS IN CUSTODY THIS MORNING AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP ON INTERSTATE 85 BECAME A BOMB THREAT. SC STATE TRANSPORT POLICE STOPPED A DRIVER FOR A MISSING LICENSE PLATE ON HIS TRACTOR TRAILER. OFFICIALS SAY THE MAN INDICATED THERE WAS AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AND THAT PROMPTED LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CLOSE ALL SIX LANES OF THE INTERSTATE. WE’RE TOLD NO EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WERE FOUND ON THE TRUCK. OFFICIALS TELL US HIS NAME AND THE CHARGES HE WILL FACE WILL BE RELEASED TODAY. A MAN IS FACING CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF A FOUR YEAR OLD GIRL WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE CORONER SAYS ADDISON CARR DIED ON DECEMBER 26TH AT THE HOSPITAL. 28 YEAR OLD TYLER TURNBERG IS CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE BY CHILD ABUSE. DEPUTIES SAY TURNBERG CAUSED NON-ACCIDENTAL TRAUMA TO THE CHILD. INVESTIGATORS SAY TURNBERG WAS THE BOYFRIEND OF THE CHILD’S MOTHER AND WAS CARING FOR THE CHILD WHEN THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON DECEMBER 22ND. THE FUNERAL FOR A TEEN KILLED AT FRANKIE’S FUN PARK A WEEK AGO IS SET FOR TOMORROW. AND HIS MOTHER IS SHARING HER PAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE ACCIDENT. THE GREENVILLE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE SAYS KHALIL SEWELL WAS DRIVING A GO KART WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH A FORKLIFT, WHICH THEY SAY WAS BEING OPERATED BY ANOTHER. FRANKIE’S EMPLOYEE. THE CORONER’S RULED SEWELL’S DEATH IS AN ACCIDENT. AND WHILE THAT INVESTIGATION CONTINUES, SEWELL’S MOTHER IS REMEMBERING HIM FOR HIS WORK ETHIC, SAYING HE WAS LOVED BY THE COMMUNITY. AT ONE POINT IN TIME, SAVION WORKED TWO JOBS. HE WORKED AT FRANKIE’S FUN PARK AND WHATABURGER, AND HE WAS TRYING TO SAVE UP FOR HIS CAR, AND HE PAID CASH FOR HIS CAR. A 17 YEAR OLD CHILD WHO SAVES UP 5 OR $6000 TO BUY HIS FIRST CAR. HELPING ME SO I WOULDN’T HAVE TO PAY FOR HIS CAR. SEWELL SAYS HER SON NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THAT CAR. ADDING THAT SHE HAD THE LICENSE PLATE IN HER HAND LEAVING THE DMV WHEN SHE WAS TOLD OF HER SON’S DEATH. OSHA IS INVESTIGATING THIS WORKPLACE DEATH. FRANKIE’S FUN PARK, MEANWHILE, HAS NOT RESPONDED TO OUR SEVERAL REQUESTS FOR COMMENT. IT’S 646, AND FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER’S FAMILY ISSUED A NEW STATEMENT THANKING EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THE DAYS AFTER HIS DEATH. CARTER PASSED AWAY SUNDAY AT THE AGE OF 100 AT HIS HOME IN PLAINS, GEORGIA. IN A STATEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE CARTER FAMILY SAYS IN PART, QUOTE, THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM AROUND THE WORLD CONFIRMS WHAT WE’VE KNOWN ALL ALONG. JIMMY CARTER’S FAMILY EXTENDS FAR BEYOND BLOOD RELATIVES. END QUOTE. TOMORROW, THE BODY OF THE LATE PRESIDENT WILL BE CARRIED THROUGH HIS HOMETOWN OF PLAINS, GEORGIA. THE 119TH CONGRESS BEGINS ITS SESSION TODAY, AND SEVERAL NEW MEMBERS WILL BE SWORN IN. OUR MICHAEL PENIX INTRODUCES US NOW TO ONE OF THEM. TANIQUA. ERIN. SHERRIE BIGGS IS REPRESENTING SOUTH CAROLINA’S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, WHICH COVERS AREAS LIKE ANDERSON, GREENWOOD, OCONEE, AND PICKENS. THIS IS HER FIRST TIME IN OFFICE. SHE’S A REPUBLICAN WHO’S FILLING THE SEAT OF FORMER REPRESENTATIVE JEFF DUNCAN, WHO DECIDED NOT TO SEEK REELECTION DURING HER 2024 CAMPAIGN. SHE RECEIVED THE SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR HENRY MCMASTER. BIGGS SAYS HER BIGGEST PRIORITIES ARE ESTABLISHING A WALL AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND GETTING TO WORK ON THE ECONOMY. SHE BECOMES THE SECOND REPUBLICAN WOMAN ELECTED TO CONGRESS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE FIRST TO REPRESENT DISTRICT THREE. PARELLA. OKAY. THANK YOU. TANIQUA. HEY, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. HAPPY FRIDAY. LOOK AT THIS CHRISTMAS TREE STILL SHINING BRIGHT IN DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE. IT’S A BEAUTIFUL START TO THE DAY. IT IS COLD THOUGH. 33 DEGREES IN GREENVILLE, 32. IN LAWRENCE. WE HAVE 28 IN PICKENS AND 26 IN CULLOWHEE. FEW FLURRIES RIGHT NOW, RIGHT ALONG AND NORTH OF I-40, SOME REACHING AS FAR SOUTH AS WALHALLA. EVEN PARTS OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA. ISN’T THAT PRETTY COOL NOW? MOST OF THE SNOW, IT’S GOING TO CONTINUE OFF AND ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AND MOST OF IT’S GOING TO BE RIGHT ALONG AND NORTH OF I-40, WHERE WE TYPICALLY GET CLOSER TO THOSE SKI RESORTS, OR SEVERAL OF THEM ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA. SO AS WE GO THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY ACROSS THE UPSTATE, HOW ABOUT SOME SUNSHINE? TEMPERATURES WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE IT INTO THE LOW 50S, BUT AS WE CLEAR OUT THIS AFTERNOON AND ENJOY SOME OF THAT SUNSHINE, THOSE WIND GUSTS WILL BE BETWEEN 25 AND 35MPH. IT’S GOING TO BE COLD, WITH A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS, AND A FEW OF THOSE FLURRIES FOR THE MOUNTAINS AS WELL. TODAY, EVEN COLDER FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR FOUR-DAY PLUS IN LESS THAN TEN MINUTES. RIGHT NOW, LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE. GET A CHECK ON THOSE ROADS. HOW’S IT LOOKING, AARON? WELL, I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT AT 648. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. I-85 NORTH NEAR PELHAM ROAD IN GREENVILLE COUNTY. WHEN I SAY BEAUTIFUL, I MEAN NO SLOWDOWNS, NO DELAYS. IT LOOKS GOOD OUT THERE ON 85 THIS MORNING. NO MAJOR ISSUES UP AND DOWN. 85 OR FOR THAT MATTER, THREE, 85 AND 26. ALL OUR ROADS HAVE LOOKED GOOD. OUR MAJOR INTERSTATES AT LEAST SO FAR THIS MORNING, 26 EASTBOUND FROM I-240 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY DOWN A MINUTE TO 11 MINUTES, WHILE 85 SOUTHBOUND FROM AIRPORT TO WOODRUFF ROAD THAT AREA. BUT THE SOUTHBOUND SIDE LOOKS GOOD AT SIX MINUTES 35 NORTHBOUND FROM FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN ALSO LOOKS FANTASTIC IN THE GREEN. AT 13 MINUTES. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR WEEKEND PLANS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK BIGGER. MONSTER JAM IS LIVE THIS WEEKEND AT THE BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA ISABELLE. MARK HAS YOUR LAST INSIDE LOOK THIS MORNING BEFORE THE FIRST SHOW. ISABELLE. HEY, ERIN. GOOD MORNING. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO WARN YOU, IT MIGHT GET LOUD IN HERE BECAUSE THEY’RE ABOUT TO START PRACTICING AGAIN. BUT, YEAH, WE’RE HERE AT THE BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA. WE’RE SHOWING OFF THESE MONSTER TRUCKS THIS MORNING. THERE’S MULTIPLE SHOWS THIS WEEKEND, THREE OF THEM STARTING TOMORROW AT 1 P.M. AND TICKETS, THEY’RE STILL AVAILABLE. SO IF YOU WANT TO COME OUT AND ENJOY MONSTER JAM, THERE’S PLENTY OF TIME TO STILL COME OUT AND DO SO. WE’VE ENJOYED BEING HERE, SO IT’S BEEN A LOT OF FUN TO SHOW IT OFF THIS MORNING. BUT FOR NOW, REPORTING LIVE HERE IN GREENVILLE. I’M ISABELLE MARAK FOR WYFF4.COM NEWS FOUR. ISABELLE. THANK YOU. AS PEOPLE ADOPT NEW HABITS AND ROUTINES FOR THE NEW YEAR, OUR STEPHANIE TROTTER BRINGS US SOME PLACES AND SOME EVENTS TO CONSIDER THAT ARE NEW FOR YOU. WE START THIS WEEK’S NEW FOR YOU WITH A NEW RESTAURANT IN GREENVILLE. AFTER A RAW BAR AND TAPHOUSE OPENED OVER THE HOLIDAYS ON LAURENS ROAD. THE NAUTICAL INSPIRED MENU INCLUDES SHE CRAB SOUP, LOBSTER ROLLS, AS WELL AS A RAW BAR OF OYSTERS, MUSSELS, SHRIMP AND MORE. TAKE NOTE TUESDAYS ARE HALF OFF RAW OYSTERS ALL DAY LONG. NON-FISH LOVERS WILL FIND FRIED CHICKEN AND BISTRO STEAK ALTERNATIVES. OKAY, WE GOT TO ASK, HOW ARE YOUR 2025 RESOLUTIONS GOING? CLARE’S CREAMERY HAS A NOVEL RESOLUTION. EAT MORE ICE CREAM AND THEY’RE SELLING NEW NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION ICE CREAM KITS. THE KITS INCLUDE SPECIALTY FLAVORS LIKE SEA SALT, CARAMEL, BISCOFF COOKIE AND BLUE MOON. YOU CHOOSE THE FLAVORS YOU WANT. NOW YOU NEED TO ORDER THESE AHEAD OF TIME ONLINE AS THEY’RE FULL SIZE QUARTS OF ICE CREAM THAT CLARE’S WILL PRE SCOOP. FLAVORS ARE AVAILABLE AT BOTH LOCATIONS UNTIL THEY SELL OUT. AND IF LEARNING THINGS PAST AND PRESENT IS TOP OF MIND FOR 2025, THERE’S A NEW OPPORTUNITY IN ANDERSON. THE COUNTY MUSEUM IS HOSTING ITS FIRST LUNCH AND LEARN OF THE YEAR ON JANUARY 7TH WITH A NOSTALGIC LOOK BACK AT THE OLD MOVIE THEATERS OF ANDERSON. ADMISSION IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL, AND THE HOSTS ARE ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO BRING THEIR MEMORIES OF THE OLD MOVIE THEATERS TO SHARE, AND A LUNCH IF YOU’D LIKE TO EAT DURING THE GATHERING. WE CAN’T WAIT TO BRING YOU FUN PLACES, EVENTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE NEW FOR YOU ACROS
Spartanburg County 911 responds after TikTok video reveals telecommunicator refusing service
Updated: 5:13 PM EST Jan 3, 2025
Emergency communications in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, responded after a video on TikTok revealed a telecommunicator refusing service.(Video above: WYFF News 4 Morning Headlines)On Friday, Spartanburg 911 released the following statement on Facebook:”Spartanburg County 9-1-1 is aware of the video circulating on social media regarding a recent 9-1-1 call involving one of our telecommunicators. We take these matters very seriously and are thoroughly reviewing the situation to understand what happened and how it was handled. “First and foremost, we want to express our sincerest apologies to the caller involved. We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of this individual, just as we are with all County residents who should trust they can call us when they need help. Ensuring the safety of our community is our highest priority, and we are committed to responding to all calls for service with professionalism and urgency. “While the telecommunicator did, in fact, dispatch an officer to the scene, the officer cleared the call, stating that they were unable to locate anyone. We are currently investigating why a follow-up response was not initiated when the caller provided additional information. Refusing service or assistance in situations like this is not in alignment with our policies or our core values, and this matter will be directly addressed with the telecommunicator involved. “We also recognize that the interaction between our telecommunicator and the caller did not meet the standards of professionalism and compassion we strive to uphold. We will also be addressing this issue with the individual involved and providing additional training to our staff to ensure that such incidents are handled appropriately in the future. “We deeply regret the distress caused to the caller in this case and the concern this has raised within our community. Please know that we do not take this matter lightly and are implementing measures to prevent similar occurrences moving forward. “As we continue to investigate, we ask for your patience and understanding. Further updates will be provided as appropriate. “Thank you for your attention and for your continued trust in Spartanburg 9-1-1.”Stay tuned with WYFF News 4 as we work to obtain permission to use the video of the incident and learn more.
Emergency communications in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, responded after a video on TikTok revealed a telecommunicator refusing service.
(Video above: WYFF News 4 Morning Headlines)
On Friday, Spartanburg 911 released the following statement on Facebook:
“Spartanburg County 9-1-1 is aware of the video circulating on social media regarding a recent 9-1-1 call involving one of our telecommunicators. We take these matters very seriously and are thoroughly reviewing the situation to understand what happened and how it was handled.
“First and foremost, we want to express our sincerest apologies to the caller involved. We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of this individual, just as we are with all County residents who should trust they can call us when they need help. Ensuring the safety of our community is our highest priority, and we are committed to responding to all calls for service with professionalism and urgency.
“While the telecommunicator did, in fact, dispatch an officer to the scene, the officer cleared the call, stating that they were unable to locate anyone. We are currently investigating why a follow-up response was not initiated when the caller provided additional information. Refusing service or assistance in situations like this is not in alignment with our policies or our core values, and this matter will be directly addressed with the telecommunicator involved.
“We also recognize that the interaction between our telecommunicator and the caller did not meet the standards of professionalism and compassion we strive to uphold. We will also be addressing this issue with the individual involved and providing additional training to our staff to ensure that such incidents are handled appropriately in the future.
“We deeply regret the distress caused to the caller in this case and the concern this has raised within our community. Please know that we do not take this matter lightly and are implementing measures to prevent similar occurrences moving forward.
“As we continue to investigate, we ask for your patience and understanding. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
“Thank you for your attention and for your continued trust in Spartanburg 9-1-1.”
Stay tuned with WYFF News 4 as we work to obtain permission to use the video of the incident and learn more.
