Democrat Legislator Accused of Pulling Gun on Voter at a Polling Station During a Primary Vote He Lost

South Carolina Democratic state Rep. Michael Rivers was arrested Friday after allegedly pulling a gun on his primary challenger’s uncle outside a polling place during the election that ended his reelection bid. Investigators accused Rivers of retrieving the weapon from his vehicle and pointing it at the man following a campaign argument. The confrontation allegedly happened while voters were casting ballots in June. Rivers has denied wrongdoing and was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond.

The alleged encounter took place June 9th at the Green Pond Community Center in Colleton County, where Rivers and fellow Democrat Shannon DeLoach were greeting voters during South Carolina’s statewide primaries. DeLoach was challenging Rivers for the House District 121 nomination. His uncle, Oliver Francis, had accompanied him to the polling location. Rivers, a minister and Air Force veteran from St. Helena Island, has represented portions of Beaufort and Colleton counties since his election in 2016.

An arrest warrant issued October 7th alleges that Rivers and the victim became involved in a brief verbal dispute over the campaign for the legislative seat. The affidavit says Rivers then obtained a firearm from a compartment in his vehicle and pointed it at the victim. Investigators cited “multiple statements and video evidence” as the basis for the allegation. The victim’s name is redacted in the warrant released by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

DeLoach previously told The Island News that he approached Rivers to have a cordial conversation despite tensions during the campaign. He said Rivers responded by asking whether DeLoach would sell his campaign signs back to him, then dismissed the conversation and returned to his vehicle. Francis, who had been sitting in DeLoach’s truck, got out and approached Rivers’ vehicle. “I said leave my nephew alone. Stop lying on my nephew,” Francis told the newspaper, which interviewed the men in June.

According to DeLoach, Rivers stopped near the parking lot’s exit before reaching down and producing a handgun. DeLoach alleged that Rivers pointed the weapon toward Francis, raised it into the air and drove away. Francis also described Rivers pointing the gun at him before leaving. In an account published by The Island News, Francis said, “he reached down and pulled out the gun and turned and pointed at me.”

The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office said deputies became aware of the alleged altercation at approximately 1:46 p.m., but Rivers had left before they arrived. The sheriff’s office requested a SLED investigation. In its October 9th announcement, SLED identified Rivers as 67-year-old Michael Frank Rivers and confirmed the charge of pointing and presenting a firearm at a person. He was booked into the Colleton County Detention Center, and the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office will prosecute the case.

See the local news report here:

The offense is a felony under South Carolina law and carries a possible prison sentence of up to five years or a fine determined by the court. The statute applies to pointing or presenting either a loaded or unloaded firearm at another person. It also preserves the right of self-defense and excludes theatrical performances. Rivers was released Friday on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond, allowing his release without an upfront cash payment.

Rivers disputed the accusation when contacted by the SC Daily Gazette following his arrest. “I’m innocent and feel this accusation from my political opponent represents politics at its worst,” he told the publication. His attorney, Seth Rose, separately told WIS that Rivers was asserting his innocence and requested that the public withhold judgment until the case is resolved in court. Rose also cited Rivers’ legislative service and military background.

DeLoach defeated Rivers in the Democratic primary with approximately 54% of the vote. A pastor and owner of two funeral homes, DeLoach secured the nomination for the district Rivers had represented for nearly a decade. The primary defeat ended Rivers’ bid for another term in the House. DeLoach faces Republican Shelley Gay Yuhas in the November 3rd general election.

Featured image credit: Screengrab from the embedded video.