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A South Carolina Department of Public Safety trooper has been arrested and placed on leave after allegedly assaulting another man in a grocery store parking lot in the Longs area around 4 a.m. Saturday, April 12.

The arrest followed an investigation into an early morning altercation that was reported by the alleged victim, who approached an Horry County Police Department officer to report the fight the following day.

His account was verified by a security camera video obtained by the HCPD officer, a police report states.

Trooper Rashaad Chestnut is charged with assault and battery, third degree, online jail records state.

A police report states Chestnut claimed that the alleged victim started the altercation in the parking lot of an IGA grocery store. The alleged victim claimed it was Chestnut who attacked him and punched him in the face, and that the only time he put his hands on Chestnut was to defend himself.聽

The police report indicates the fight began when Chestnut was driving a vehicle that 鈥渃losely" followed a female driver into the grocery store parking lot, with the victim in the passenger seat of her vehicle.

According to the report, Chestnut then approached the vehicle, pulled the alleged victim out and began throwing punches.

The report states that after the initial altercation Chestnut attempted to go back to his vehicle but was pursued by the alleged victim, who 鈥渟wung at him and appeared to grab onto the suspect.鈥�

At that point, according to the report, Chestnut drove away as the victim held on to the side of the vehicle, falling off as Chestnut increased speed.

Chestnut told police the vehicle the alleged victim was in then cut him off in traffic and the alleged victim pulled a gun, telling Chestnut that he was going to 鈥渟moke him.鈥� No shots were fired.

鈥淭he video evidence establishes probable cause to charge the suspect with assault and battery third-degree,鈥� the police report stated.

A statement issued by the SCDPS said that Chestnut, who was hired in July 2023, has been on an extended leave of absence since November of 2024. He has now been place on suspension pending the outcome of the investigation of the assault.

He holds the rank of Trooper First Class, and was assigned to Troop 5, which serves the region including Horry County.

The warrant for Chestnut鈥檚 arrest has not yet been released. This story will be updated.