Sheriff: Former Brookwood Football Player's Gunshot Wound Was Self-Inflicted

Police say that the gunshot wound on former Brookwood High football player Kenny Miles was self-inflicted. 

Miles, who is now playing for the University of South Carolina, originally told deputies with the Richland County Sheriff's Office that he was shot in the arm during an armed robbery Nov. 4. 

According to a video of a press conference Tuesday (Nov. 12), Sheriff Leon Lott explained that the wound was self-inflicted and there's no evidence of an armed robbery or the fact that anyone else was present at the time of the incident. 

"We have recovered his gun from the trunk of his car that our ballistics has proved to be the one that shot him in the arm," said Lott. "Kenny Miles has now cooperated with us, and his gunshot wound was self-inflicted. He's been released from the hospital but he's still under doctor's care. Once he is physically able, we will serve a warrant on him for filing a false police report, and he'll be arrested and charged with that crime."

"There's no evidence of any other criminal activity going on," Lott continued.

The sheriff also said that the department is not releasing at this time their speculation on motive or why the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.

When asked about what the penalty is for filing a false report, Lott said he's not sure. But he did explain what the department went through to conclude this investigation. 

"He filed a false police report with us, a police report that we did a very intense investigation on [and] wasted a lot of man power, a lot of time on," Lott said. "I hope the courts rule that he will reimburse the sheriff's department and taxpayers of Richmond County for the time and effort that we put in it on something that was not true."

Miles will be represented by attorney Neal Lourie, who issued a statement on the football player's behalf, according to the The State newspaper in South Carolina: 

"Last week I made a big mistake by not being up front about how the shooting occurred. I was not involved in any criminal activity. However, I was scared and worried how my actions would be perceived. I only made matters worse by not telling the truth. I make no excuses for my behavior.

"I would like to apologize to Sheriff Leon Lott and the entire Richland County Sheriff’s Department; my employer, The Office of the Attorney General; my team mates and coaches; The University of South Carolina community; friends, family; fans; and anyone else I’ve disappointed."