Cottageville community demands answers in fatal shooting - WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

By Nikki Gaskins
ngaskins@abcnews4.com

COTTAGEVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) - It was standing room only as a town packed into council chambers seeking answers.

On Monday, Cottageville town council met for the first time since former mayor Bert Reeves was shot and killed last month.  Dozens of residents hoped to hear from the town's current mayor, Margaret Steen.  Steen is also the aunt of Bert Reeves.

"We're here asking the mayor to terminate Officer Price, so the citizens can live in peace," said resident Kevin Young.

Officer Randall Price fired the fatal shot on May 16^th.  Price is now on paid administrative leave pending the result of an investigation.

"The police officer should not get compensated with money while he's not working," said Ute Reeves, a resident who shares the former mayor's same last name.  "He needs to go to jail and rot there."

"We cannot answer what do not know," said Mayor Steen before a large crowd Monday.

Steen says she's been in close contact with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division over the shooting death of her nephew.

"They continue to tell me they're still investigating and can't give me any answers yet.  Therefore, we will not respond to any questions on this tragic event," Mayor Steen said.

William Yocum hopes his fellow neighbors won't rush to judgment.

"Bert Reeves was a good man.  But we all need to sit back as a town and let the law do its job," Yocum said.

Yocum also knows both the former mayor and the officer who shot him personally.

"If Randy is in the wrong, justice will be done but let's don't lynch the man.  Let's give him a chance," he said.

The family of Bert Reeves has hired an attorney to look into the case.

"No matter how you do the math, Bert was unarmed and the cop shot and killed him, and I think that's wrong," said attorney Mullins McLeod.

14th Circuit Court Solicitor Duffie Stone is now requesting that a grand jury review it.

"This officer is going to be indicted. That's what I believe," McLeod said.

Officer Randall Price has worked for seven other agencies in eleven years.  Records show he's been fired in the past for using excessive force.

The attorney for Bert Reeves' family says the shooting stemmed from an ongoing feud between Reeves and the officer.