VIDEO: South Carolina Deputy Shot Multiple Times in Friday Gunfight

A Berkeley County (SC) Sheriff’s Deputy is recovering from being shot multiple times early Friday morning. The gunman later died of an apparent self-inflicted wound.

Cpl. Kimber Gist was investigating an SUV parked behind a closed grocery store in an area authorities say is known for criminal activity. Gist told dispatchers that she saw two people inside and was going to investigate.

Thirteen minutes later, she had one person in custody. Moments later, Gist told dispatchers she was involved in a fight. That's when dispatchers lost radio contact with Gist.

There was a gunfight between Gist and a suspect identified as Travis Cantelle Smith, 36, authorities report. It's not clear if Gist hit Smith during the exchange, but Gist was hit at least three times. Some of the shots hit her body armor.

Gist was left on the ground wounded and the suspect drove away from the area, Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis told WCIV TV.

"Then at some point she was able to make her way out from behind the Food Lion about 100 yards up to the roadway where she flagged down a passerby. A good Samaritan called 911 for her, made sure deputies knew where she was at. We're thankful for that," Chief Deputy Mike Cochran said.

Cochran said Gist was undergoing surgery at Trident Medical Center and was in serious but stable condition. Cochran described Gist, a two-year veteran of the sheriff's office, as "feisty."

She was asking other officers at the hospital with her if they had caught the shooter.

They had. The suspect was found dead by law enforcement in a North Charleston apartment Friday morning. He had a single gunshot to the head that investigators believe was self-inflicted.