Sword-Wielding Man Sparks Chaos in North Charleston Suburb

A quiet Thursday afternoon in North Charleston took a bizarre turn when police responded to reports of a man swinging a medieval-style sword in the middle of a residential road. The incident ended without injuries but raised serious questions about public safety and mental health intervention.

A Scene Straight Out of a Fantasy Novel

Residents of Spencer Creek Woods were stunned when they saw a man pacing the street, brandishing a three-foot-long sword reminiscent of a medieval battlefield. According to multiple 911 calls, the man was also seen holding a hammer, adding to the surreal nature of the scene. Officers arrived around 4:30 p.m. and quickly identified the suspect as 47-year-old Joshua Dorman of Ladson.

Witnesses described Dorman’s movements as erratic but deliberate. He reportedly swung the sword in wide arcs, occasionally shouting unintelligible phrases. One neighbor said, “It looked like something out of a movie—except it was happening right outside my window.”

Police Response and Arrest

When officers approached, Dorman did not resist. Instead, he stabbed the sword into the ground and surrendered. The arrest was made without physical confrontation, but the situation escalated during transport to the Al Cannon Detention Center. Authorities say Dorman threatened to harm one of the officers en route, resulting in an additional charge.

He now faces two counts:

• Aggravated breach of peace
• Threatening the life of a public official

According to jail records, this is not Dorman’s first run-in with law enforcement. He has been booked at Al Cannon four times since 2022, with multiple charges involving threats against public officials.

No Injuries, But Lingering Concerns

Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. However, the spectacle left residents shaken. “We’ve had odd things happen in this neighborhood,” one local said, “but never someone swinging a sword in broad daylight.”

Police have not released details about Dorman’s motive or mental health status. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are reviewing whether additional charges or evaluations are warranted.

A Broader Conversation

This incident has reignited conversations about mental health resources and the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with unpredictable behavior. While the sword may have been theatrical, the threat was real—and the community is left wondering what could have happened if the situation had escalated further.