Florence mayor responds to councilman's statements on police department

FLORENCE — Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela has decried Florence City Councilman Ed Robinson’s call for a more thorough investigation of an incident where a Florence police officer shot a man three times after a chase last month.

“Unfortunately yesterday, Councilman Robinson, in political desperation, seized upon this incident as an opportunity to attack the police department and defame the officer involved,” Wukela said during a press conference Thursday morning at his law office on Second Loop Road in Florence.

During a press conference Wednesday, Robinson said he thought the suspect was trying to surrender when he was shot and the shooting was unjustified.

Florence Police Chief Anson Shells said the officer acted in self-defense, as the suspect drove his vehicle at the oficer when the officer ordered him out of the car.

“I support our police department and condemn councilman Robinson’s statements,” Wukela said. “Disturbingly, this blatant and reprehensible attempt to score political points is Councilman Robinson’s most recent political attack on the police department, and as his political situation worsens, his desperation and his attacks, increase.“

The shooting happened about 11:30 p.m. Jan. 27 after an officer on patrol spotted two cars that appeared to be racing and saw them almost hit another vehicle, Shells said.

One of the two cars evaded the officer while the other was chased down and, after briefly losing the pursuing officer, the driver stopped at Oakland Avenue. Once cornered in a parking lot, the suspect stopped and the officer got out of his cruiser, presented his gun and asked the suspect to get out of the car, Shells said.

The driver of the vehicle instead did “doughnuts” in a parking lot, then drove toward the officer, who began shooting.

The officer, who was between his cruiser and the oncoming car, shot the suspect once in each arm and once in the abdomen before jumping onto the oncoming car’s hood and rolling off, Shells said.

The suspect, 24-year-old Antoine James of 159 S. Franklin Drive, did not suffer life-threatening injuries and is charged with assault on a police officer, racing on a public road, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon, failure to stop for a blue light, assault with intent to kill with a motor vehicle, driving under suspension-first offense and reckless driving. He is out of jail on bond.

Robinson said wounds on James’ arms prove he was trying to surrender when he was shot. Robinson also said there was damage to the front and rear of the suspect’s car, which he said conflicts with the story police gave.

Shells said Wenesday that is simply not the case.

“The officer was boxed in, he had nowhere to go. This vehicle, a 2,000-pound vehicle, was headed straight for him,” the chief said. “The only thing he could do was try to protect himself with his firearm.”

Shells said there’s no dashboard camera video footage of the incident because the officer is part of a newly-formed Community Action Team and his newly purchased vehicle was not yet equipped with some supplies, including the camera.

No other officers were in close proximity when the incident occurred, so it wasn’t captured on any other dash camera, either, Shells said.

Robinson said he doesn’t think James tried to run over the officer and thinks the suspect should have a fair trial inside a courtroom. He said that’s why he’s trying to involve the U.S. Justice Department in the investigation. The councilman said he also will sponsor several upcoming events to raise money for James’ defense counsel.

Shells said he stands by the police report and said he welcomes any investigation.

The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave and the State Law Enforcement Division was called in to investigate. Both actions are standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting, Shells said.

The chief said he thinks justice will come in the form of SLED’s complete investigation.

Robinson responded to Wukela on Thursday afternoon, saying his efforts aren’t a political ploy. Instead, Robinson said, he feels the mayor is looking for ways to criticize his character.

“I think he’s using this to try to find means and ways to make me look bad,” Robinson said. “But, if for me to fight for my constituency makes me look bad, then I’m gonna look bad, and if he thinks this is gonna slow me down ... he’s wrong.”

Robinson said he feels that the officer-involved shooting incident may point to a larger issue, which he says is reflective of Wukela’s efforts to increase police presence in the neighborhoods he represents.

“He has thrown police after police out there, giving these kids nothing to do, no other alternative than to have to run and fight against the police officers,” Robinson said.

Wukela said he thinks Robinson has something against the city police department in general.

“This isn’t Councilman Robinson’s first attack on our police department and as his situation worsens, and he gets increasingly desperate, his attacks increase,” Wukela said.

Wukela also said Robinson may face political opposition in the next election for his city council seat.

Robinson said he’s not trying to draw attention to himself, but rather represent his constituents.

“For me to be worried about my political seat ... it’s the decision of the people,” he said. “If they want me, I’m there. If they don’t, so be it.”